Letter to the Editor

To the editor:

St. Louis County parks are public assets benefiting communities from Spanish Lake Park in the north to Cliff Cave Park in the south and everywhere in between. The 71 parks and cultural sites, six recreational complexes and 144 miles of trails enhance the lives of St. Louis County residents and the region. While it sounds like a lot, there is only a finite amount of land for parks, and any major changes to that limited public space should require voter approval.

A “yes” vote for St. Louis County Proposition 2 on the Nov. 6 ballot does not increase taxes. A “yes” vote for Proposition 2 means county parks cannot be sold, leased, given away or otherwise disposed of without a vote of St. Louis County residents. A “yes” vote for Proposition 2 supports the unanimous decision by the St. Louis County Council to put this measure on the ballot to give citizens who pay taxes to support these parks a voice in their future.

Vote “yes” for St. Louis County Charter Amendment Proposition 2 on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Steve Brewer
Maplewood

Editor’s note: Mr. Brewer served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Peace Corps in Afghanistan and worked for parks departments in the city of Clayton, St. Louis County, state of Missouri and U.S. Forest Service before retiring. He currently serves on the board of Missouri Coalition for the Environment.