McLean-area families who use Fairfax County rec centers, golf courses and pools could pay more starting Jan. 1, 2027, under a proposed fee schedule open for public comment through Nov. 20.

The Fairfax County Park Authority presented the proposed 2027 fee schedule at the Park Authority Board's Wednesday, Oct. 14, meeting. The board reviews fees annually, balancing what users pay against the cost of running the county's park system. Residents have until 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, to weigh in before the board votes.

The changes touch roughly 500 facility-use and rental fees overseen by the board, according to the fee proposal document. Only fees recommended for adjustment are included each year.

What rec center users would pay

Individual and two-person annual rec center memberships would stay at $700 and $1,100. Larger household plans would rise. A same-household three-person annual membership would go from $1,210 to $1,240. A four-person membership would climb from $1,250 to $1,310.

Multi-household memberships face steeper increases. A four-person multi-household annual membership would jump from $1,867 to $2,000. An eight-person plan would rise from $3,067 to $3,600.

Monthly recurring memberships would also tick up. A single-person plan would go from $29 to $30 per month.

Golf fees

Maximum greens fees would increase at every Park Authority course. At Twin Lakes, the 18-hole maximum would rise from $71 to $73. At Laurel Hill, the 18-hole maximum would go from $134 to $139. A full individual annual membership at Laurel Hill would increase from $6,800 to $7,050, roughly a 4% bump.

Driving range bucket prices would each rise $1, putting a 40-ball bucket at $11 and a 160-ball bucket at $26.

Pool and swim lane changes

Weekend and holiday leisure pool admission at Cub Run Rec Center would increase for out-of-county visitors. An out-of-county adult visit would go from $16.50 to $17. In-county rates would not change.

Indoor swim lane rental fees would rise 3%.

Why fees are going up

The Park Authority's Revenue and Operating Fund covers about 65% of the system's operating budget, according to the county's public input page. The remaining 35% comes from the county general fund.

Employee compensation increases alone are estimated at about $1 million for fiscal year 2027, the fee proposal states. The document also cites a 3.5% rise in the consumer price index for urban consumers as of June and a $201 million deferred-maintenance backlog across the park system. Nearly $68 million of that backlog sits in rec centers.

The Park Authority's fee policy favors smaller, regular increases over larger, less frequent ones, according to the proposal.

How to comment

Residents can submit feedback online through the county's PublicInput page or by mail to the Park Authority Public Information Office, Attn: 2027 Fee Schedule Comments, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 927, Fairfax, VA 22035. General inquiries can be directed to [email protected]. All feedback is due by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20.

Upcoming

  • Friday, Nov. 20, 5 p.m. — Deadline for public comments on the proposed 2027 Park Authority fee schedule.
  • January 2027 — If adopted, new fees take effect Jan. 1. The board has not announced the specific meeting date for its final vote.