Horses Go In Virginia
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CHS NEWS
Hi All...Just to keep you informed, the Fairfax County Park Authority is proposing new or raising fees for County facilities. Of special interest to CHS are the facilities at Turner Farm Park and Frying Pan Farm Park. See comments below and on the attached summary. If you would like to make any comments, the Fairfax County Park Authority will hold its annual public comment meeting on the agency's proposed fee adjustments for this year on Wednesday, February 2, 2011, at 7 p.m., in Room 106 of the Herrity Building located at 12055 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax, VA. Feedback will be accepted via email to Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov or you may send your written comments to: Attention Public Information Office/Fee Comments, Fairfax County Park Authority, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 927, Fairfax, VA 22035-1118.
There is a meeting specific to Frying Pan Farm Park on Thursday, January 27, 7:00 p.m. at Frying Pan Farm Visitor Center and to Turner Farm Park on at the Great Falls Library on Thursday, February 3, 7:00 p.m.
Frying Pan Farm Park and Turner Farm Equestrian Facilities
Current Situation
Currently, each rider pays $8 per hour and each rider with an instructor pays $13 per hour for use of the indoor riding ring. Hourly monitoring of riders and instructors under the current system is time consuming for staff and inefficient.
There is currently no fee for the outdoor riding ring and it is used more often than the indoor ring.
The majority of equestrian facilities of comparable size to Frying Pan charge a riding fee for access to riding rings and grounds.
Equestrian stakeholders are very supportive of the appropriateness of a fee for outdoor riding
There is currently no option for equestrian groups other than full day rentals of the outdoor rings. Many groups only need the ring for a half day for the set up of events occurring the next day. A half day rental would offer instructors another option and allow the park to capture that revenue.
Large equestrian events utilizing the cross country course monopolize the entire wagon ride and main trail loop in the park thus shutting down wagon rides and casual use of the park main trail loop.
The lighting fee of $50 per hour is rarely utilized and no revenue is realized from it.
Current Situation
Currently, each rider pays $8 per hour and each rider with an instructor pays $13 per hour for use of the indoor riding ring. Hourly monitoring of riders and instructors under the current system is time consuming for staff and inefficient.
There is currently no fee for the outdoor riding ring and it is used more often than the indoor ring.
The majority of equestrian facilities of comparable size to Frying Pan charge a riding fee for access to riding rings and grounds.
Equestrian stakeholders are very supportive of the appropriateness of a fee for outdoor riding
There is currently no option for equestrian groups other than full day rentals of the outdoor rings. Many groups only need the ring for a half day for the set up of events occurring the next day. A half day rental would offer instructors another option and allow the park to capture that revenue.
Large equestrian events utilizing the cross country course monopolize the entire wagon ride and main trail loop in the park thus shutting down wagon rides and casual use of the park main trail loop.
The lighting fee of $50 per hour is rarely utilized and no revenue is realized from it.
