Community Corner

Dooley Considers Closing County Parks

County Executive Charlie Dooley proposed closing about 20 county parks to help cut $10 million from his 2012 budget.

Editor's Note: This artice was last updated at 2:58 p.m. An earlier version incorrectly identified a county park. We sincerely regret this error.

In an effort to close a projected budget shortfall of $10 million, County Executive Charlie Dooley proposed closing roughly 20 parks in his 2012 budget.

In addition to areas such as Lone Elk Park just south of Ballwin, Dooley's budget would close St. Vincent Community Center, the pools at North County and recreation centers and the farm animals exhibit at , according to the budget summary. Of the 175 jobs that would be eliminated county-wide, about 135 would come from the Department of Parks and Recreation.

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"This is the most difficult decision I have had to make in my more than a quarter centry of public service," Dooley wrote in a letter accompanying the budget.

The County Council meets tonight at 6 p.m., but county spokesman Mac Scott said since the 300-page proposed budget only came out this morning, the council will not discuss it in-depth.

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Residents will be able to comment on the proposed budget at the first public budget hearing immediately after the County Council meeting on Nov. 15 at 41 S. Central Ave. in Clayton. County Council meetings typically end around 6:30 p.m.

List of county parks proposed for closure:

Unger Park  Bon Oak County Park    Simpson Park Sioux Passage County Park Love Park Fort Bellefontaine Ohlendorf West Park Larimore Road Park West Tyson County Park Castle Point County Park Greensfelder County Park Mathilda-Welmering Park Lone Elk Park Ohlendorf County Park McDonnell County Park Black Forest County Park St. Vincent Community Center Bohrer County Park Kinloch Park George Winter County Park


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