We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors sustain FY2011 funding to county parks at the current level approved for FY2010 for the following reasons:
· The Fairfax County Park Authority budget cannot manage another cut after nine years of level funding (no increase) from the County and one ( FY2010) a reduction of 14%;
· Our parks programs and services in environmentally responsible homescape and landscape management and safety are critical to the health and well-being of Fairfax County citizens in their homes and businesses;
· Poor park maintenance puts public health and safety at risk;
· The impact on low income families is particularly severe;
· Deferred maintenance costs more than doing it as you go;
· Lack of supervision and maintenance and closure of permanent facilities such as the park restroom affect facility rental and other fee income, volunteer fundraising events, etc.;
· Unkempt parks affect neighborhood property values and quality of life and most likely contribute to increased vandalism in parks themselves.
In 2009, the Park Authority welcomed 18.6 million visitors to 417 parks. We groomed fields for 225,000 competitors, improved our 300 mile trail system and worked to control non-native invasive plants, promote native species and preserve woodlands and green open spaces.
Green Spring Gardens Park (GSGP) volunteers alone gave14,367 hours and made 9,223 citizen contacts in the gardens, horticulture center, historic manor house and children’s programs (both in public schools and GSGP).Our volunteer action to educate and serve the citizens of Fairfax County in 2009 was the county equivalent of $188, 638 in compensation from Green Springs Garden Park—a generous return on the county’s investment.
