Protesters gather outside Lone Elk Park (File Photo)
St. Louis County (KSDK) - A grass-roots effort is underway to save 24 parks across St. Louis County. County Executive Charlie Dooley says those parks may have to close due to budget shortfalls.
On Saturday, people gathered at Lone Elk Park to let visitors know one of their favorite spots is on the chopping block. They stayed outside the front gate all day, quietly protesting the plan that would close Lone Elk and other parks as well as cost more than 100 jobs.The protesters held signs and passed out flyers to visitors, urging them to take action by contacting their county council representative.
The group was born on Facebook when hundreds of people took to the site to voice their concerns over closing the parks. Now they're organizing and trying to spread their message in person.
A few hundred cars passed the group Saturday. That's just a small portion of the people who enjoy St. Louis County parks on a regular basis.
Marty Koch is one of the group leaders and a former park ranger. He understands the county's budget is struggling, but can't see the sense in making such a big cut to one department.
"If there is a budget shortfall cuts will be necessary, but not the wholesale closing of the parks department," said Koch. "It needs to be spread around and every efficiency needs to be looked at to prevent this."
Koch and others plan to be at a different county park from now until a decision is made on the fate of the parks. The next steps could be taken as early as the next St. Louis County Council meeting on November 15th. The park group and council members are urging citizens to voice their opinions at that meeting.