Public Hearing Tonight on Proposed Rec Center, Park Fee Increases in Fairfax

The Fairfax County Park Authority will hold a public hearing at 7 pm tonight at the Fairfax County Government Center for residents who wish to comment about proposed fee adjustments at area RECenters, golf courses, picnic shelters and historic property rentals, among other county community centers.

The proposed fee increases range from a 60-cent increase for a daily pass at RECenters countywide to an $800 increase to rent the Cabell’s Mill historic property in Centreville, which is typically reserved for wedding receptions and other private parties.

"We review our entire facility fee schedule every year and see if there’s anything in need of updating," said Nick Duray, marketing services manager in park services.

"If you were to look at our fee package from two years ago, it was slightly lower then this year's because we were in the depths of the recession," Duray said. "If you look back in 2006 prior to the recession, it would look monumentally larger."

 Residents who wish to comment can call ahead to register by contacting Judy Pedersen at (703) 324-8662.

They can also email comments to parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov or mail comments to 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 927, Fairfax, VA 22035-1118 ATTN: Public Info Office/Fee Comments by Feb. 14.

"Some years some fees go up. Sometimes they go away. Sometimes they go down," Pederson said. "It’s not just aimed at increasing revenue."

For example, the board is proposing to eliminate fees entirely at the Wakefield Skate Park in Annandale because it is the only park in Northern Virginia with an admission fee.

"Elimination of admission fees does not result in lost revenue since the
facility operates on a breakeven basis," according to the information packet released by the park authority.

Any fee adjustments approved by the Park Authority Board on March 14 would take effect on April 1.

Here is a snapshot of the proposed fees and which facilities are impacted. To view the full information packet on the fee increases, visit Fairfax County’s website.  

RECENTERS

General admission and pass fees, indoor swimming pool base hourly rental rates, playroom fee (Lee District), field house rental (South Run), skate park admission.

RECenter General Admission and Pass Fee

Daily Adult Current Fee

Daily Adult Proposed Fee

$9.90 Base Fee

$10.50 Base Fee

Indoor Swimming Pool Base Rates (per hour)

Swimming Lane 25-yard pool current fee

 Proposed Fee

$19.95

$21.00

Skate Park Fees ()

The staff recommends eliminating fees at

GOLF

Changes will be in place for: Prime time greens fees, 9 holes (, , , Pinecrest Golf Course, ; Prime time greens fees, 18 holes (Burke Lake Park, Greendale, Twin Lakes); non-prime time greens fees, 9 holes (Burke Lake Park, Jefferson, Oak Marr, Pinecrest, Greendale, Twin Lakes); non-prime time greens fees, 18 holes (Burke Lake Park, Greendale, Twin Lakes), power cart rental (Jefferson, Pinecrest, Greendale, Twin Lakes).

Prime Time Greens Fees (9 holes)

Facility

Current Fee

Proposed Fees

$18

$19

$21

$22

$19

$20

Pinecrest Golf Course

$21

$22

$24

$26

$32

$34

PICNIC SHELTER RESERVATIONS

(new fee of $400 full-day rental), Hidden Oaks Nature Center Outdoor Classroom Shelter (new $50 full-day rental fee), Outdoor Classroom Shelter (new $85 full-day rental fee), Plaza (new $250 full-day rental fee).

MINIATURE GOLF

, and

Group

Current Fee

Proposed Fees

Adults

$6

$7

Juniors/Seniors

$5

$6

The park authority is recommending eliminating the Frying Pan Park Schoolhouse rental fees and an increase for the Frying Pan Visitor Center rental fees from $320 for a 4-hour rental to $380 for the same time frame. 

HISTORIC PROPERTIES RENTAL SERVICES

Group

Current Fee

Proposed Fees

Adults

$6

$7

Juniors/Seniors

$5

$6

The park authority is recommending creating an hourly rental rate for the library and replacing the existing multi-purpose room rental rate with a combined multi-purpose room/atrium rental fee.

RIVERBEND PARK

Riverbend Park proposes canoe renal fees of $18 for a half-day rental and $36 for a full-day rental.

Related Topics: Fairfax County, Fairfax County Park Authority, and Fees

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