Losing Greensfelder and West County Tyson Parks?

West County Tyson Park typically is a quiet place. Park caretakers and visitors seem to like it that way. But last week, the ambiance at the park was more frenzied than usual. The typically gentle, natural setting was filled with people darting and discussing a new budget dilemma that may threaten to forever change this peaceful neck of Eureka-based woods, located just off Interstate 44.

"We read and heard about the budget cuts when everyone else did," said Matt Reim, a St. Louis County park ranger for the past 12 years who was on-site. His territory covers parks on I-44 and those west of Interstate 270. "It was hard to believe. These parks give many people a chance to escape from city life, experiences they typically wouldn't have."

The same uneasiness permeated from those associated with , a stately and frequently used multi-recreational park located in Wildwood's city boundaries.

Last week, St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley made a and affecting 23 parks total, due to a $10 million shortfall in the county's 2012 budget. County representatives communicated they face a fiscal crisis and cannot afford to maintain all parks without affecting essential services such as fire, police and street maintenance.

Budget-related targets also included a community center, two public pools and a farm animal exhibit. Of the 175 staff positions cut countywide, 135 would be from the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Officials said they hoped many of the parks, such as Greensfelder and Lone Elk Parks, could be taken over by municipalities or state staffs. In addition to park closures and related job cuts, Dooley and his administrators recommended an increase in fees for construction permits and scaling back snow removal on county streets.

Some county councilmen since said they believe budget problems are being exaggerated and that they are confident alternatives can be achieved to keep the parks open. The council formed a committee to review the budget proposal.

Greg Quinn, St. Louis County councilman for District 7 — which encompasses the three local parks targeted in the Eureka and Wildwood area — has yet to respond to Patch media inquiries made in writing and by phone on Thursday.

Ironically, Lone Elk Park is listed as a "District Spotlight" for District 7 on the county's website. On the same site, Quinn lists two personal goals related to this situation: 

1. preserving our neighborhoods
2. voicing people's concerns

West County Tyson Park is favorite of many

As originally part of the federal fovernment’s Tyson Valley Powder Plant, the initial 240 acres of West Tyson was conveyed to St. Louis County in 1955, according to county records. In 1979, St. Louis County purchased the additional 410 Mincke Tract, just north of the original park, with a federal Land & Water Conservation Fund grant.

In 1985, the Chubb Trail was opened there. It was developed by the St. Louis County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The trail is open to hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers. Access to the Chubb Trail can be obtained through either West Tyson or Lone Elk parks.

In 1988, county parks department staffers created the William Epstein Memorial Prairie project there in the Mincke Bottoms, made possible by a financial gift from the Epstein family. Thirty acres of bottomland farmland were planted with a mixture of native prairie grasses and forbs.

West County Tyson Park Supervisor Ruzicka said what has come out in the public is mostly what they know as employees. He said the park is used frequently by Boy and Girl Scouts, as well as Missouri residents and visitors for open-air camp sites. A shelter there with a permanent, nature educational display enables groups to hold meetings and meals outdoors.

"This announcement was quite a surprise. People really like and need some seclusion of parks like these. Once this is gone, it's gone," said Ruzicka, who has been supervising St. Louis County parks for the past 39 years.

The 670-acre park also is enjoyed by many equestrians, who also are circulating notices about the threat of losing horseback riding areas.

West County Tyson Park maintenance manager Chad Hill said park visitors enjoy the flint quarry area and knowing that the park once was used by Native Americans. "People just really love this place for getting peace of mind," he said. "And there's also the mountain bikers who love the high-level challenges the Chubb Trail offers."

Lone Elk Park, which is connected to West County Tyson through the Meramec corridor, is home to a bison herd of 13 to 15, said Reim, as well as 20 elk.

Will Wildwood absorb Greensfelder?

It seems difficult to imagine how parklands, such as these older, local ones with unique ecosystems, could be properly valued for potential selling. And from where in a city's budget, such as Wildwood as suggested by some, would the significant funding come to purchase or take over a place such as Greensfelder Park?

If a city, such as Wildwood, Eureka or Fenton, were able to purchase the targeted parks, what maintenance costs would the municipalities be inheriting?

Is it possible for the Missouri State Parks system to take over these targeted properties?

With St. Louis County officials just announcing last Monday they are looking at several areas to reduce their overall budget, Wildwood Mayor Tim Woerther said he and other city officials were not aware of the county's budget plans until the same time as the public notification.

"The net result is that Wildwood would also need to consider all of the points [before deciding upon a direction]," Woerther said. 

"We all agree that Greensfelder County Park is a unique jewel in the family of parks that exist with the boundaries of the city of Wildwood. No one would want to see the park closed due to budget issues without a serious effort to understand exactly why it would need to occur," he said.

Woerther said the first step is to understand the County’s budget and their rational for the proposals that have been put forward.

Response from Another St. Louis County Council Member

One Eureka-Wildwood Patch reader and concerned voter who lives in an unincorporated portion of St. Louis County shared the response she received last week from Colleen Wasinger, councilman, 3rd District. Wasinger's direct response follows.

I am convinced that there are savings to be found within county government that would allow for a 2012 budget that would not adversely affect services to residents or require layoffs of essential personnel.

At this week’s County Council meeting, Chairman Steve Stenger announced the formation of a Budget Committee comprised of council members.  I will be serving on this committee along with Council members Stenger, Mike O’Mara and Kathleen Kelly Burkett.  This committee will assist County Executive Dooley in reviewing the county’s finances, with the aim of providing him with budget recommendations that would avoid layoffs, park closures and service disruptions to our residents.  These meetings will be open to the public; I understand the dates and times will be published on the county’s website at www.stlouisco.com.  I am hopeful that the Budget Committee’s recommendations will assist Mr. Dooley in developing a more reasonable budget proposal.       

In addition, the County Council will convene a special meeting on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, following the weekly Council meeting, which begins at 6:00 P.M.  This meeting will provide an opportunity for concerned residents to present their views to the Council regarding the recommended 2012 budget. 

The Council also will hold meetings on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 from 9:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M., and Wednesday, December 7, 2011, from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.  During these meetings, Council members will conduct a detailed review of the recommended 2012 budget with county department heads.  These meetings are open to the public; however, there will be no public comment at that time.  All of these meeting will be held in the Council chamber, at 41 South Central, in Clayton.