State and County May Team Up to Save Parks

In addition to and the , the state and the county may be teaming up to save 23 parks. The closures would also include two swimming pools, a community center and a petting zoo from budget cuts.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon announced Wednesday 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.

This comes after a and county council meeting where residents urged county leaders to keep the parks open. 

Last week, the  and St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley, urging them not to close the parks.

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

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

“I don’t know what the budget problems, 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.”

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