I have hiked the trails, floated the rivers, camped in the campgrounds, and swum in the lakes of Missouri state parks. A division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Missouri’s state park system preserves the history and culture of our state, protects our natural features, and provides miles of recreational opportunity for our residents. Our state parks are invaluable–they are a Missouri treasure. I have travelled to other states that charge a fee to simply enter a state park, but here in Missouri, entrance is free. Our 93 state parks are for everyone to enjoy, and the DNR has a history of excellent caretaking such that I have had nearly all good experiences on my many visits.
Amendment 1, which is on the Aug. 4 ballot, also called the Parks, Soils, and Water Sales Tax, gives us the opportunity to renew the one-tenth of 1% sales tax that was first approved in 1984. The last time it was approved, in 2016, it passed in every Missouri county and was voted for by 80% of voters. It is not a tax increase, but a continuation of an existing tax that ensures our state parks are properly funded. With nearly 20 million visitors and over one million overnight campers enjoying the Missouri State Park system every year, voting yes on Amendment 1 is sensible. At only $10 per year per Missouri resident, it is not much of a sacrifice, and it ensures that we continue to enjoy free admission and uninterrupted improvements to our beautiful state parks.
Growing up, my family enjoyed many hikes and picnics at Knob Noster State Park. It felt like such a privilege to have a 3,934 acre park just a few miles down the road. I remember ice skating on the little pond in the Camp Bobwhite section of the park when I was eight or nine years old, and my mom packed snacks and hot chocolate in a thermos for us to enjoy afterward. I wanted to create memories like that for my own kids, so we went to Knob Noster State Park many, many times when they were kids. We played full court basketball, hiked all the trails, mountain biked on Opossum Hollow trail, went birding, cooked out under the pine trees at the Clearfork Lake area, camped, and had countless picnics. Two of our three kids learned how to ride a bike at Knob Noster State Park. It was a home away from home, and I will forever be grateful that we live so near a Missouri State Park.
Now we are empty nesters, and since our older dog passed away in April, we have been taking our younger dog on lots of adventures. He loves to travel to the Farmer’s Market, the Rock Island Trail (also part of the Missouri State Park system), and Knob Noster State Park. He finds the smells along the trail absolutely irresistable, and he is learning how to greet people with his refined (in progress) social skills. Lately, we have been walking mostly on the Spirit Trail because it’s tick season and it seems, so far, to be tick-free. He especially enjoys it when we park near the playground by Clearfork Lake and walk down to the bridge that connects that section to the Scout camping area. We always meet a few people there and he gets to practice his friendly greeting skills. Without the portion of the Parks, Soils, and Water Sales Tax that funds state parks, we would not have the Spirit Trail.
According to Justin Adams, the Deputy Director of Operations for Missouri State Parks, “the revenue generated by the Parks, Soils, and Water Sales Tax funds around 75% of our total budget. It helps pay for things like cleaning supplies, fuel for vehicles and equipment, materials for projects, and salaries.” The remainder of the tax funds Missouri programs that protect our water resources and preserve our soil. Landowners benefit directly from the DNR’s Soil and Water Conservation Cost-share program designed to assist in practices that help control erosion and protect water quality. Farmers specifically utilize these funds to implement conservation practices that reduce massive amounts of erosion, helping retain valuable topsoil. Here in Johnson County, we know how priceless, and how thin, our topsoil is, so we desperately need this assistance. A yes vote on Amendment 1 will protect our soils, our water, and fund our top notch state parks. It’s one way Missourians can take care of each other.
Angela Palmer is the president of Citizens for Environmental Action and directs a local nature-based preschool program.
