Support Funding for State Parks in Missouri
Background Information
Missouri is widely recognized as having one of the finest systems of state parks and historic sites in the nation, attracting 16 million visitors a year. But this stature and the future of the state's parks and historic sites are in serious jeopardy unless they receive a major infusion of capital improvement funds to maintain and upgrade aging facilities. The system currently has a backlog of more than $175 million for such projects.
With crisis comes opportunity, and there are several options for dealing with the capital improvement needs of state parks and historic sites in the current legislative session. One is securing an amendment in the Senate to add $75 million and include parks in House Joint Resolution 32, which would establish a $700 million Fifth State Building Bond and Interest Fund for buildings at institutions of higher education. Another option is to include funding for state parks in any appropriation from Missouri’s share of federal stimulus or stabilization funds.
Take Action
Use our e-mail form to contact your state legislators today.
Let them know how much you love our state parks! More specifically, ask them to support "ten percent for state parks" in any capital improvements bond issue for state facilities (including HJR 32), or any appropriation for capital improvements from federal stimulus or stabilization funds.
Additional Information
For additional information, please contact Jennifer Sandy at the Midwest Regional Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation or Susan Fladers of the Missouri Parks Association.
