(KMOV) – The battle over the future of public parks in St. Louis County continues to heat up as County Executive Charlie Dooley says the county must close 23 parks and lay off dozens of workers to save money.
However, Dooley may have found one other way to keep the parks open as he is trying to generate support for a tax increase by putting popular attractions on the budget chopping block. One alternative he’s suggesting is transferring ownership of the parks, which comes as a surprise to the new potential landlords.
“A lot of our parks are in municipalities,” says Dooley. “They can take over these parks as well – so that is one opportunity, partnership.”
George Winter Park in Fenton is on the list. Fenton’s mayor says it would have been nice of someone from the county had talked to him before floating that option publicly.
At Greensfelder Park, fliers ask opponents to make their voices heard at the county council meeting Tuesday night. Greensfelder is in Wildwood. Like Fenton, Wildwood has yet to be contacted by St. Louis County about ownership transfer.
Wildwood’s mayor says his city will consider drafting a letter to the county, expressing hope it can work through its budget problems.
