NOVA Parks News

Fairfax Station, Va. (May 22, 2026) — On Thursday, May 21, the NOVA Parks Board of Directors unanimously adopted the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Operating Budget at its May Board Meeting. The budget represents an increase of 5.25% from the FY 2026 approved budget. Nearly the entire proposed increase is self-funded by increased revenues.

“While we present this budget in a uniquely uncertain time for the region, NOVA Parks' strong revenue growth and entrepreneurial spirit have positioned us to expand our services throughout Northern Virginia,” said NOVA Parks Board Chair Sean Kumar. “NOVA Parks is indispensable in providing new services to the region, and especially when municipal budgets are constrained.”

New investments continue to be structured around the 5 pillars in NOVA Parks' 5-year Strategic Plan. Highlights include:

Environment:

• Enhances Roving Naturalist program, including an additional full-time position, additional part-time naturalist hours and internship hours, to increase interpretation of natural spaces across member jurisdictions.
• Expands invasive species management and habitat restoration.
• Adds new native tree and shrubbery plantings along the 45-mile W&OD Trail.
• Increases staffing at Winkler Botanical Preserve in Alexandria to expand hours of operation.

Belonging:

• Expands full-time staffing at Bull Run Regional Park in Fairfax County to support Title 1 programs.
• Increases program and promotion funding to provide new programs for park visitors.

Our Team:

• Includes Cost of Living Increase of 2.2%.
• Funds hourly rate increases in accordance with adopted policy, as well as related increases to prevent pay-scale compression.

Building The Future:

• Funds the creation of the FY 2028 – FY 2033 Strategic Plan.
• Increases major maintenance by 48% to reduce the impact of park repairs on capital investment.
• Continues automation of core business functions.
• Increases support for marketing and communications.

Revenue & Efficiency:

• Adds new part-time accounting staffing at headquarters to support custodial tax collection.
• Increases budget contingency, now set at 0.75% of operating budget.
• Increases appropriations revenue adopted last Fall.

“Thanks to the great work of the NOVA Parks team and Board of Directors for developing this thoughtful and fiscally responsible plan, which allows us to continue providing exciting and unique experiences throughout our six jurisdictions,” said NOVA Parks Executive Director Justin Wilson. “This budget prepares NOVA Parks for our next phase of growth as we envision the future in the form of our 2028-2033 Strategic Plan.”

NOVA Parks’ adopted FY 2027 Budget will be available beginning July 1 at novaparks.com/Financials.

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About NOVA Parks
Founded in 1959 as a conservation organization, NOVA Parks (Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority) represents three counties and three cities—Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, the City of Alexandria, the City of Falls Church, and the City of Fairfax. The regional agency manages 37 parks with 12,500 acres of parkland, including waterparks, golf courses, campsites, historic sites, event venues, boat launches, annual holiday light shows, and a high adventure ropes course.