Park Authority proposes fee hikes

The Fairfax County Park Authority is proposing fee hikes for the use of certain park and rec center facilities.

The public is invited to a virtual meeting, Jan. 18, 7 p.m., on the fee increases. To sign up to speak, call the Park Authority’s Public Information Office, 703-246-5092.

Public comments can be submitted via email between Jan. 4 and Feb. 2 to [email protected].

If adopted by the Park Authority Board at its March 22 meeting, the new fees would take effect on April 1.

The complete list of proposed fee increases can be found here. Here are a few examples:

• Nine holes of golf at the Pinecrest Golf Course – $25 on weekdays (up from $23) and $30 on weekends (up from $26).
• A small bucket of golf balls at the Pinecrest Golf Course driving range – $9 (up from $8).
• Rec Center swimming lanes rental (50 meters) – $57.22 (up from $55.55).
• Rec Center medium-size room rentals – $175 (up from $165).
• Mason District Park amphitheater rental – $40 an hour (up from $30) during prime hours.
• Garden plots at the new community garden at Hogge Park – $80 for the 2023 season.
• Green Spring Gardens multipurpose room rental, Monday-Thursday, two hours – $198 (up from $170). 
• Hidden Oaks Nature Center Forest Room rental, weekends, two hours – $180 (up from $110).

According to the Park Authority, facilities are aging, and renovation and repair needs are increasing. The proposed fee adjustments would bring fees in line with the cost of providing services, prevent the Park Authority from undercutting competitors in the private sector, and maintain the Park Authority’s financial health.

Employee wages and benefit costs have also risen, and the Park Authority is now responsible for absorbing healthcare costs for eligible seasonal employees.

Golf course and Rec center operations and maintenance are funded by user fees, not taxes. The total number of golf rounds played at Park Authority courses in FY 2021 decreased by 7 percent from the previous year.

Rec Center attendance in FY 2022 was up 90 percent and rec center revenue was up 68 percent from the previous year. However, both measures still below the pre-Covid period.