Alert:
The Park Authority Board reviews and approves the annual budget on a fiscal year schedule (July 1 – June 30). The board reviews and approves the Park Authority’s Fee Schedule for each calendar year (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31).
Each year, the Fairfax County Park Authority receives approximately 35% of the funding needed to operate and maintain the county’s park system through the Fairfax County General Fund. The remaining 65% of the operating budget is obtained through fees that are assessed for memberships, programs, classes, services and amenities as part of the Park Authority Revenue and Operating Fund.
Park fees are essential to providing the required funding to support the operation and maintenance of Fairfax County’s vast park system including rec centers, golf courses, nature centers, camps, classes, water parks, amusements and many more park programs and amenities. These facilities and amenities provide enjoyment and memorable experiences for millions of park visitors each year.
The Park Authority Board considers fee adjustments on an annual basis, with the goal of minimizing user impact, while safeguarding the financial stability of park programs and services. The consideration process includes a public comment period on proposed changes and consideration of suggestions and feedback from the community.
The Fee Schedule is updated on a calendar year basis.
As part of the County Executive’s annual budget exercise, the Park Authority was tasked with creating a non-recommended budget cut package for FY 2027 that represented 5 percent of our General Fund allocations, or $1,814,700. The County Executive’s proposed budget ultimately included the total amount of cuts.
As part of the County Executive’s annual budget exercise, the Park Authority was tasked with creating a non-recommended budget cut package for FY 2026 that represented 10% of our General Fund allocations, or $3,564,106. The County Executive’s proposed budget ultimately included $1,495,838 (42% of what was proposed). Of that total amount, $529,258 (35%) was restored for FCPA and FCPF by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors including open space mowing, trail maintenance, and 50% of the funding support for the Park Foundation. Click the link below to view the full adopted budget for FY 2026.