Updated Nov. 2:

Although the St. Louis County Parks situation looks dire, with termination papers already issued to employees, there is a small bright spot: most of the targeted parks must remain green space. According to this story deed restrictions, covenants, and terms of purchase or donation prevent most of them from sale to private individuals, or for non-park purposes.

The exceptions are: Lone Elk, Bohrer, Ohlendorf and Ohlendorf West, Larimore and Mathilda-Welmering. The county would likely remove portable infrastructure and barricade entrance to the rest, according to an unnamed county spokesman.

Rumors abound as to the fate of Lone Elk: that most often heard is transfer to the Missouri Department of Conservation. However, MDC is not flush with money, either, having reduced its own staff by 10% over the last few years. Other buyers being courted are Fenton for George Winter Park, Wildwood for Greensfelder, and Bon Oak to Dellwood. The remaining Meramec Greenway and Meramec access parks: Sherman Beach, Simpson, and Unger would be closed.

Because of its rugged terrain and former use as a munitions facility during World War II, it would be costly to rehabilitate Lone Elk Park for private development.

Any park property purchased with federal land and water conservation funds must also remain as public green space.

The county budget is unlikely to be finalized until sometime in December.

Note:
If you are not familiar with the region, Traveler invites you to see an overview of recreational history of the lower Meramec.

Previous story:
In order to balance their budget in a time of declining revenue, St. Louis County executive Charlie Dooley presented a budget to the county council on Oct. 31 calling for the closing and possible sale of 20 county parks, including Lone Elk in West County, George Winter near Fenton and Ft. Bellefontaine and its 300 surrounding acres in North St. Louis County, as well as permanent reduction in park staff both through eliminating unfilled positions and culling from current staff.

Missouri elk, from St. Louis County park, not Peck Ranch

Lone Elk Park is a mostly drive-through park known for its free ranging elk, deer and bison, on the site of an old munitions testing facility, adjacent to the Washington University West Tyson Research Center. The World Bird Sanctuary, a private, non-profit facility, is accessed via the park. George Winter Park adjoins a lake formed from old sand and gravel operation in the Meramec River. It is a powerboat destination and the site of speedboat races. Other Meramec River parks proposed for closure are Simpson in Valley Park, Unger in Fenton, West Tyson/Sherman Beach-Bellerive Farm, and nearby Greensfelder Park north of Allenton. Closing these parks would disconnect integral portions of the Meramec Greenway trail system.

Parks throughout the county are targeted, but those in South and Southwest County are know for their wilder/more natural character.

Under the proposed budget, these parks and 13 others are deemed expendable. Some see this as a political ploy to get the County Council to approve a proposal for a 2.8 cent increase in property tax rates, which they declined to do in August.

The Chief Executive can make specific cuts without the consent of the County Council.

More information on this story can be had at STL Today , and KSDK’s website.

A larger pdf map, show parks under proposed closure, is available from this link.