Activity Fee Increases Proposed At Burke Lake Park

BURKE, VA — The Fairfax County Park Authority is accepting public comments on proposed fee changes at Burke Lake Park and other park authority-operated facilities.

While Fairfax County residents aren't charged entrance fees and non-county residents only pay entrance fees from April to October, various activities at Burke Lake Park are associated with fees. The park authority will accept public comments on proposed fee changes for fiscal year 2021 through Feb. 4. If fee changes are approved by the park authority board on March 10, they will take effect on April 1.

Fees typically pay for nearly all of the park authority's personnel and operating costs at its golf courses and RECenters; managed parks for fee-sustained facilities and program operations; and for rental facilities, programs, and store sales at nature centers, visitor centers, historic sites and other parks.

In fiscal year 2020, the park authority saw attendance at managed parks decreased by 8.9 percent. Revenue fell by 50.2 percent due to the pandemic's impacts on park operations, reduced capacities on amusements and cancellation of all registered programs and camps.

Below are the key fee proposals for Burke Lake Park.

• Half-Day Canoe Rental: current $12.50 on weekdays and $13.50 on weekends/holidays; proposed $20 on weekdays and $25 on weekends/holidays
• Full-Day Canoe Rental: current $18 on weekdays and $19 on weekends/holidays; proposed $40 on weekdays and $45 on weekends/holidays
• Half-Day Kayak Rental: current $12.50 on weekdays and $13.50 on weekends/holidays; proposed $40 on weekdays and $25 on weekends/holidays
• Full-Day Kayak Rental: current $18 on weekdays and $19 on weekends/holidays; proposed $40 on weekdays and $45 on weekends/holidays
• Non-electric camp sites, per night: current $28 Monday-Thursday and $31 on weekends/holidays; proposed $30 Monday-Thursday and $35 on weekends/holidays
• Carousel ride fee per person: current $2 on weekdays and $3 on weekends/holidays; proposed $3 on weekdays and $4 on weekends/holidays
• New season pass option for non-county residents: proposed $80 for passenger vehicles and vans, $50 for motorcycles
• Miniature golf, adults: current $7 on weekdays and $8 on weekends/holidays; proposed $8 on weekdays and $9 on weekends/holidays
• Miniature golf, juniors, seniors or group of adults: current $6 on weekdays and $7 on weekends/holidays; proposed $7 on weekdays and $8 on weekends/holidays
• Miniature golf, group of juniors/seniors: current $5 on weekdays and $6 on weekends/holidays; proposed $6 on weekdays and $7 on weekends/holidays
• Rowboat half-day rental: current $12.50 on weekdays and $13.50 on weekends/holidays; proposed $15 on weekdays and $16 on weekends/holidays
• Rowboat full-day rental: current $18 on weekdays and $19 on weekends/holidays; proposed $20 on weekdays and $21 on weekends/holidays
• Train ride fees, per person: current $3 on weekdays and $4 on weekends; proposed $4 on weekdays and $5 on weekends

See the full fiscal year 2021 proposal for park authority fee changes.

A public meeting on the fee proposals will be held at 5 p.m. on Jan. 21 with a brief presentation on the fee process and opportunity for public comment. Residents can also send comments to Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov or by mail to Attention Public Information Office/Fee Comments, Fairfax County Park Authority, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 927, Fairfax, Va. 22035.