Action Alert: Urge Fairfax County Supervisors to Fully Fund the Parks Department
The Fairfax County Executive has released the FY27 Advertised Budget Plan. It includes reductions to the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) budget that the agency itself does not recommend.
Last year, trail maintenance funding was on the chopping block. Thanks to advocacy efforts of the community, we were able to protect that funding. This year, FCPA is at risk of losing essential staff who maintain our parks and outdoor recreation facilities. Funding for basic services, including mowing athletic fields, could also be reduced.
How can you help?
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Sign up to speak at an upcoming budget hearing:
- April 14 at 4 p.m.
- April 15 at 3 p.m.
- April 16 at 3 p.m.
- Email the Board of Supervisors and urge them to fully fund parks and trails.
Below is a sample letter/testimony that you can personalize. Adding your own story about why parks and trails matter to you and your family makes an even stronger impact.
_____________________________
To: chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov,
sully@fairfaxcounty.gov,
braddock@fairfaxcounty.gov,
dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov,
franconia@fairfaxcounty.gov,
huntermill@fairfaxcounty.gov,
mason@fairfaxcounty.gov,
mtvernon@fairfaxcounty.gov,
providence@fairfaxcounty.gov,
springfield@fairfaxcounty.gov
CC: ExecutiveDirector@more-mtb.org
Dear Fairfax County Board of Supervisors,
As a resident of Fairfax County and avid park user, I want to thank you for your past support of parks and trail maintenance funding. According to the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) Needs Assessment, an overwhelming majority (84%) of County residents identified trails as the most important park amenity and outdoor infrastructure. Fairfax County is home to many wonderful natural surface trail systems, including those in Lake Accotink, Brookfield, Lake Fairfax, Laurel Hill, Mount Vernon District Park, Wakefield, and the Gerry Connolly Cross Country Trail. If the County is serious about meeting residents’ needs, including commuting, recreation, physical health and wellbeing, it must fully fund its Park Authority.
FCPA provides much more than just trails. Their work includes other important community resources like activity buildings, nature centers, playgrounds, cultural and educational activities, ball courts, athletic fields, and more. These are safe places for families to be outside, for communities to gather, and for children to learn and spend time off screens. The Department also provides valuable programming for youth, seniors, people with disabilities, and families who may not be able to afford certain fee-based activities.
I respectfully urge the Board to fully fund FCPA and prevent budget cuts that would severely undermine the agency’s ability to serve the community. FCPA is already facing a significant maintenance backlog. Reductions in funding would result in staff losses and diminish the department’s ability to provide basic services and carry out essential operations. Increased funding is critical to address deferred maintenance; repair bridges, potholes, cracks, and erosion; clear downed trees and overgrown trail corridors; and ensure continued safety and usability of a heavily used and well-loved park and trail system.
I also urge the Board to provide guidance in the FY28 budget to fund a full-time, dedicated trail maintenance team within FCPA. A permanent trail crew would reduce long-term costs compared to hiring outside contractors and would ensure more consistent upkeep of county trails.
Thank you for your leadership and support of Fairfax County’s park system. Let’s keep moving forward!
Sincerely,
[first and last name]