State and County May Team Up to Save Some Parks

The state and the county may be teaming up to save 23 parks from budget cuts, including two swimming pools, a community center and a petting zoo. On the chopping block are Mathilda‐Welmering and Ohlendorf parks in Affton and Bohrer County Park in Concord.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon announced today that the state is discussing joint state-county management of some of the county parks slated to close.

The governor’s office offered as an example. Because the popular park is adjacent to Castlewood State Park, joint state-county operation could cut costs and keep the park open.

“I am committed to working with County Executive (Charlie) Dooley and his team to explore ways we can help keep some of these parks open for Missourians,” Nixon said.

Gov. Jay Nixon's interest in helping keep open some or all of the St. Louis County parks threatened with closure is "great news for us," county spokesman Mac Scott said Wednesday night.

"Very preliminarily, the governor has reached out to us and said, 'Hey, let's talk. Let's see if there is some place we can help,'" Scott said.

He didn't know whether a meeting had yet been planned between the county and the governor or his staff.

"We're serious in thanking the governor and looking forward to what we can work out," Scott said.

Dooley said his office is “committed” to working with Nixon’s administration.

Dooley . The proposal caused an angry uproar among residents, who in Clayton before .

Dooley has also . In unincorporated Affton, however, there is no city government to fall back on.

“I don’t know what the budget problems are, and honestly, I don’t think I care a whole lot because that is your problem,” said Bob Hall, a Kirkwood resident and former director of county parks, at Tuesday’s first public budget hearing. “Somewhere between County Executive Dooley and the County Council, you need to communicate a little more, get together on this thing and make it better.”

Several  amassing more than 7,000 signatures are circulating on the Internet, and residents have gathered at Lone Elk Park to pass out flyers.

“We have not won the battle until the budget issue is settled and the attempt to offload the parks is stopped,” Laurie Chrisco wrote on the popular Facebook page “Help Save Lone Elk Park in St. Louis, MO,” which has almost 1,300 fans. “Keep fighting and spreading the word.”