[Archived] FY 2020 Proposed Budget for the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities

For Immediate Release: March 6, 2019

On February 19, 2019, the City Manager proposed a $761.1 million General Fund operating budget for FY 2020 with no tax rate increases. The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA) proposed operating budget for FY 2020 is $23,522,994, representing an increase of $758,418 from the approved FY 2019 operating budget. To view the RPCA proposed FY 2020 Budget, click here.

City Council will hold a Public Hearing on the FY 2020 Proposed Budget on Monday, March 11 at City Hall Council Chambers, 301 King St., beginning at 4 p.m. For a complete schedule of FY 2020 Proposed Budget meetings, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Budget.

The following information provides residents with a summary of RPCA service adjustments for the proposed FY 2020 fiscal year (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020):  

SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS

Recreation Services

• Program Expansion, West End Therapeutic Recreation Program Expansion
  Additional seasonal Therapeutic Recreation Leaders will be assigned at the new Patrick Henry Recreation Center to provide support to the out of school time program for children with behavioral issues and some with disabilities. These are Individual Education Programs (IEPs) for ACPS students with special needs. The program will provide inclusion opportunities for special needs youth on the West End of the City. This represents $34,906 in new General Operating funding.

Park Operations

• Renovated Lake Cook Natural Area Maintenance
  City has taken authority over operation and maintenance of the renovated Lake Cook Park and the adjoining nature area. This funds mowing, landscaping, mulching, weeding, facility maintenance, and inspections of the park. This represents $28,500 in new General Operating funding.
• Six New Renovated Parks
  This provides maintenance services and associated seasonal staffing to the following new/renovated parks: Potomac Yard Dog Park; 3550 Commonwealth Avenue; Dale Street Community Gardens; Potomac Yard Triangle; Potomac Yard Gardens; and Patrick Henry School Synthetic Field and Playground. This represents $34,140 in new General Operating funding. 
• Shoreline Accumulated Wood Removal
  This funds wood and limb clean up twice a year for the accumulated debris along the City Marina through the Windmill Hill Park area. This represents $50,000 in new General Operating funding.

SERVICE REDUCTIONS

Recreation Services

• Adjustment for Youth Sports Scholarship Fund
  This is a reduction of the Youth Scholarship funding granted by City Council mid-year during FY 2018 from Contingent Reserves in the amount of $90,000. After evaluation of the first year's utilization of the program, RPCA has determined that only $50,000 is necessary to meet current demand for use of the service. This results in a reduction of $40,000 to the RPCA operating budget.

Park Operations

• Establishment of Natural Areas
  To implement the Land Use and Open Space Goals and Action Steps of the newly approved Environmental Action Plan Phase I Update (City Council , Planning Commission October 2018), RPCA will establish natural areas in 22 parks. These areas will be planted and managed for native trees and landscape by the Natural Resources Division of the department. This results in a reduction of $36,000 to the RPCA operating budget.
  
  Parks: Timberland Park; Simpson Park; Mt. Jefferson Park; 3700 Mt Vernon Ave.; Hillside Park; Beach Park; George Mason Park; Charles Barrett Recreation Center; Goat Hill Park; Hoof’s Run Park; 3550 Commonwealth Park ; Warrick Pool/Landover; Angel Park; Hensley Park; Ewald Park; Ben Brenman Park; Chambliss Park; Holmes Run Park; Chinquapin Park; Four Mile Run Park; Fort Ward Park; and Wakefield Tarelton Park.

FEE ADJUSTMENTS 

The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA) increased fees per the City Council Approved Resource Allocation and Cost Recovery Policy. City Council Resolution No. 2613, adopted May 1, 2014. For a complete list of City Council adopted fees RPCA programs and services, visit RPCA Fee Schedule & Policies web page. 

Recreation Services

• Out of School Time Program Fee Increase
  Proposed 3% increase to all rates of the Out of School Time Program for all paying users to offset current service expenditure increases of running the program. The revenue includes a 30% allowance for fee assistance requests. The fee for afterschool time increases from $459 per school year to $475. Summer camp fees increase from $335 to $345 for paying residents and from $615 to $635 for nonresidents for the entire summer. This represents $20,514 in additional General Fund revenues.
  • Increase Rental Fee for Private School Athletic Field
    The rental fee for private school use of public recreation fields will increase to the standard rate approved by City Council. Currently private schools pay only 50% of the standard rate. This represents $80,000 in additional General Fund revenues.
• Increase to Tennis Court Rental Fee
  RPCA charges hourly tennis court reservation rental rates for singles ($3) and doubles ($4). This increases the fee to a flat $10 per hour for residents and $15 per hour for nonresidents. This adjusts Alexandria tennis court rental fees to market rates. Residents can continue to use courts for free on a first come, first served basis. This represents $4,000 in additional General Fund revenues.

Leadership & Management/City Marina

• Marina Pleasure Boat Slip License Fee Increase
  This includes a $1 per foot increase in the annual license fee for 54 pleasure boaters in the City Marina. The fee increases from $11 per foot per month to $12 per foot per month for City residents and from $13 per foot per month to $14 per foot per month for nonresident license holders. This results in an average annual increase of $360 per license holder. These rate changes are relatively consistent with comparable Marinas. This represents $21,211 in additional General Fund revenues.
• Marina Docking Fee for the Tall Ship Providence
  This provides the Tall Ship Providence a City Marina annual docking license fee at 50% below market rate for commercial slip rentals of this size among affiliate organizations. This represents $15,000 in additional General Fund revenues.

For additional information on the FY 2020 Proposed Budget, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Budget.

For additional information on the RPCA’s FY 2020 Proposed Budget, contact the Director’s Office at 703.746.5501.