The Fairfax County Park Authority is now gathering public comments 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 county-wide 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 proir to the recession, it would look monumentally larger."

The park authority will hold a public hearing on Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center. 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.

The office has received two emails from residents about the fee adjustments so far, Pederson said.

"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, 2012.

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

Indoor Swimming Pool Base Rates (per hour)

Skate Park Fees (Wakefield Park)

The staff recommends eliminating fees at Wakefield park

GOLF

Changes will be in place for: Prime time greens fees, 9 holes (Burke Lake Park, Jefferson District Park, Oak Marr Golf Course, Pinecrest Golf Course, Greendale Golf Course, Twin Lakes 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)

PICNIC SHELTER RESERVATIONS

White Gazebo, Green Spring Gardens Park (new fee of $400 full-day rental), Hidden Oaks Nature Center Outdoor Classroom Shelter (new $50 full-day rental fee), Huntley Meadows Park Outdoor Classroom Shelter (new $85 full-day rental fee), Ossian Hall Park Plaza (new $250 full-day rental fee).

MINIATURE GOLF

Burke Lake Park, Oak Marr RECenter and Jefferson District Park

FRYING PAN PARK

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

GREEN SPRINGS GARDEN PARK

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.