7,200+ of you signed. You did it. On Wednesday night, Arlington gymnastics was saved.
Now help us say thank you to the people who listened: http://savearlingtongymnastics.com/thanks
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After eight weeks of moving fast, Wednesday night felt like a moment to breathe before saying anything.
To every one of you who signed this petition -- all 7,200+ of you: thank you. You are the reason this email exists.
But this campaign was more than signatures. More than 300 of you shared your story in full -- in writing on this page, on video, and in person at County Board meetings -- telling the Board what Barcroft means to your family.
The Board didn't read one letter, they read thousands...literally. They didn't hear from one family, they heard from 7,200+ neighbors across every corner of Arlington. When people ask how a County Board revised a 44% fee increase in five days, the honest answer is: they heard from you and cared about what you said. Wednesday night belongs to you.
And something quietly important happened in the last eight weeks. We started this as petitioners -- just asking to be heard. Today, we've been heard and supported -- and we know our board members and county staff so much more than we ever did before. That changes who we are as Arlingtonians. We're not petitioners anymore, we're grateful supporters of a County that has lived up to its culture of listening and kindness. That shift is real, and it's worth naming because it shapes what we're asking of you next.
1- What happened on Wednesday.
The Arlington County Board approved the FY27 budget, which protected recreational, competitive, and adapted gymnastics at Barcroft. At 8:18 PM, the vote landed. The clip of the applause right after -- I've watched it a few times: https://www.youtube.com/live/_HJf2Apel_A?t=19098. It's a snapshot of messy, meaningful collaboration finally landing in the same place -- families, the Board, and County staff all clapping at the same time. Fox5 ran a news story that night:
2- Where the fees landed:
- Competitive Team: +25% (down from the 44% marked up the Thursday before)
- Recreational: +50%
- Adapted gymnastics: +3%
3- A note of thanks — and a new chapter.
Wednesday's outcome was the product of real collaboration. The Chair, Vice Chair, and the full Board listened hard over eight long weeks and landed in a place that keeps this program whole. On the staff side, the Board mentioned more than once that County Manager Mark Schwartz and DPR Director Jane Rudolph went above and beyond in the interactions that made this outcome possible -- Jane personally urging a return to 25% after Thursday's markup, Mark setting the staff tone that made that move possible. The Board's closing language around "a new spirit of collaboration" felt real because of them.
4- Help us say thank you — in your own words:
It's not meant to be a template. It's a short guide that names who to thank and why, with a few ideas to help you find your own words. A personal three-sentence note from you will mean more than anything polished. We started as petitioners; this is how grateful supporters show up.
5- What's next.
The Board also approved budget guidance for gymnastics that sets the table for FY28 and beyond:
- A multi-year path toward the 86–100% cost recovery target, instead of a single-year jump
- Active monitoring of team size, staffing, and enrollment -- the variables that actually drive the fee math
- A May kickoff meeting hosted by the Board Chair and Vice Chair with AAPA/ATPA leadership and DPR/County leadership, "to kick off a new spirit of collaboration"
- Clearer communication from DPR on operating budget, County policies, and revenue opportunities
- A review and update of the MOAs with Aerials and Tigers to reflect the new relationship
DPR has said they are all-in on making this program successful and open to new ideas. AAPA and ATPA will be right there with them.
6- Three small things we'd ask of you now:
- Send a thank-you note (link above). The community that fought well together needs to be the community that says thank you well together.
- Bring in your yard signs -- especially any you spot still up in public spaces.
- Celebration planning is in the works. Email savearlingtongymnastics@gmail.com
Eight weeks ago, a lot of us didn't know each other. We certainly do now. That's the quietest and most durable thing that came out of this campaign, and it's what I'm most grateful for. We have ideas brewing now on how to carry these new relationships we've formed around Arlington gymnastics forward -- more to come soon!
Thank you again for signing. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for being one of the 7,200+ reasons this worked.
With our deepest appreciation,
Save Arlington Gymnastics
savearlingtongymnastics.com
#SaveArlingtonGymnastics