Parks and Recreation presents FY26 budget: 10% fee increase proposed, teen programs expanded, Madison preschool to close

Jane Rudolph, director of the Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation, outlined the department’s FY26 operating request to the Arlington County Board on Feb. 27, saying the manager’s proposed budget includes roughly $65.4 million in expenses and $18.2 million in revenue and supports about 409 staff equivalents (approximately 318 permanent and 91 temporary positions).

Rudolph said the proposal contains modest net staffing reductions tied to the county‑wide gap and listed specific program and operating changes intended to preserve core services while addressing cost pressures.

Why it matters: DPR runs facilities, camps and programs used by thousands of residents. Proposed fee increases, program consolidations and reductions in maintenance staffing would change how and where residents access recreation services.

Key program and budget items presented

- Fee increases: the manager’s proposed budget includes a 10% across‑the‑board increase for classes, camps, sports, facility rentals and memberships. DPR estimates the change will generate about $1.5 million in additional revenue; the department also plans to expand its fee‑reduction program (used to subsidize participation for low‑income households) and expects total fee‑reduction funding to rise toward $1.8 million after a $697,000 adjustment in anticipation of greater demand.

- Teen programming and workforce development: the board previously funded a two‑year pilot to expand after‑school and weekend teen programs. DPR introduced Patrick Leonard as the new teen coordinator and said the department has expanded offerings at Arlington Mill, launched a three‑day program at Kenmore Middle School, and started new sessions at other Middle School sites. DPR said the program includes partnerships with community organizations and college‑trip opportunities for teens.

- Madison Preschool: DPR recommended the closure of Madison Preschool for FY26 due to persistently low enrollment (Rudolph said five participants were enrolled in the program at the time of the meeting, three of whom will enter kindergarten in the fall). DPR plans to offer the remaining families placements at other county half‑day preschool sites.

- Arlington County Fair: management of the county fair has moved from the volunteer fair board to the county; DPR proposed reclassifying a vacant FTE to provide logistical and operational support for the larger, county‑managed event. DPR showed a $226,000 request to support personnel and operational costs; staff said revenues collected at the fair are expected to offset the appropriation in most years but that weekend weather can significantly affect receipts.

- Turf/grounds maintenance and other reductions: to hold down costs, the department proposed a number of targeted reductions including temporarily freezing a deputy director position (vacant), administrative assistant at Glover Run (vacant), and freezing four positions expected to be vacated under the county’s DROP program; reducing mowing frequency on 31 warm‑season Bermuda athletic fields from three to two times per week (estimated savings $65,000); and eliminating annual funding for the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust (NVCT), an item board members later discussed in follow up. DPR staff warned that freezing certain park service positions would result in less frequent maintenance and longer response times for certain services.

Long Bridge Aquatics and Boeing funds

DPR briefed the board on the Long Bridge Aquatics and Fitness Center, which has generated roughly $3 million in annual revenue and about 3,000 active memberships. DPR said Boeing contributed $10 million to underwrite initial operations; under the manager’s proposed glide path the county would begin incrementally replacing Boeing support with county net tax support through FY30 (a 75/25 split in early years, shifting toward county funding later). Staff said the Boeing funds could be exhausted under a faster spend pattern and offered a glide path proposal for discussion.

Board and commission feedback

Park and Recreation Commission Chair Jill Barker told the board the commission supports DPR’s focus on at‑risk youth and summer camp subsidies, and said the 10% fee increase is reasonable given the county’s commitment to ensure no one is turned away for inability to pay. The commission asked that forester positions and invasive‑species investments be protected where possible and indicated they will send a follow‑up letter with detailed recommendations.

Next steps

Board members asked DPR for comparative fee benchmarking with neighboring jurisdictions and more granular data on program enrollment and cost recovery. DPR said it will continue studying program demand, provide more detailed fee comparisons, and track the teen pilot’s outcomes to determine whether the pilot should become ongoing.

Ending note

No formal votes were taken during the work session. The board asked staff for additional cost‑benefit information and policy options as the FY26 budget process continues toward adoption in April.