Fairfax County: Parks and park facilities bonds ($180,000,000)

Official plain English statement

This referendum asks voters whether Fairfax County should be authorized to contract a debt and issue bonds in the maximum principal amount of $180,000,000 for improvement of existing parks owned and operated by Fairfax County Park Authority, for additional parks and recreational facilities, and for preservation of open space across the county. The County’s current plans for the proceeds of bonds that may be authorized by this referendum are described below. These specific plans may be altered, but in any case, the bonds can only be issued for purposes described in the ballot question. Virginia law permits the County government to borrow money to buy land and construct projects by issuing general obligation bonds, which are sold to investors and repaid over time with County revenues. Money received from the sale of bonds provides funding for many County facilities. Bond financing permits the costs of those County facilities to be repaid over a period of years. However, before the County may incur a general obligation debt, a majority of the County voters must authorize the County to borrow those funds. The County currently plans to use $180,000,000 of bonds from this referendum for Fairfax County Park Authority system improvements and facilities. Funding from this referendum will support a range of capital projects across the county with current plans addressing existing maintenance needs, design and construction of new parks and amenities, preservation of natural and historic resources, and renovation of park and rec center facilities in need of lifecycle replacement. Currently planned projects include entirely new parks and new amenities in existing parks, such as playgrounds, skateparks, or trails. Funding will address repair, replacement, and upgrade of current park facilities, improving service and access, and modernizing outdated amenities, such as playgrounds, picnic shelters, trails, amusements, athletic fields, athletic courts, support facilities, and infrastructure such as lighting and irrigation to current standards and codes. Capital funding for Rec Center renovations will support design, repairs, upgrades, and capital improvements to maintain safety, functionality, accessibility, and service quality. Projects will include lifecycle replacements to repair, replace, and modernize amenities covering structural, mechanical, electrical, and cosmetic systems, such as HVAC systems, pool pump equipment, and roofing. This funding is currently planned to support the complete renovation of Audrey Moore Rec Center, deferred maintenance at other Rec Centers, and concept plans for future renovations of additional Rec Centers. The bond referendum will fund projects such as ecological restorations including meadow restoration, expansion and reforestation projects; historic site preservation projects focusing on structural needs, systems preservation, infrastructure and stabilization work on historic structures; maintenance and preservation work for historic cemeteries in parks; and parkland acquisition.