What Economic Crisis? The Parks Want Money

NBC 4: The Columbus Metro Parks are putting a levy on the May ballot. It’s a renewal and increase that would help fund new metro parks. Central Ohio has 24,000 acres in 15 metro parks. It’s one of the largest park systems in the state and claims six million visitors a year.

Without a levy, it runs out of money this year. Columbus’ mayor said the parks affect the quality of life and education in the area. “Urban kids don’t have to watch Discovery Channel to understand what nature is all about. They can come right here,” said Mayor Michael Coleman.

Metro Parks officials claim that the levy, even with the extra tenth of a mill, will cost only $23 per $100,000 of valuation. Officials said they plan to use the money for maintenance, to expand educational and senior programs, add more greenway trails, added protection for the Big Darby Watershed and to build three new parks at Little Walnut, along the Scioto River in Grove City and in Plain Township.

“Central Ohio is growing. The economy has obviously slowed down right now, but it’s going to pick back up and we’re going to be growing again and we need to be prepared for that growth,” said John O’Meara, metro parks executive director.

Without the levy, the parks said they will have to make cuts, but they haven’t figured out yet what those cuts will be. “I think the economy is the big issue. We recognize that it’s unfortunate timing, but out levy runs out this year, so we really don’t have any choice,” O’Meara said.

The levy is a ten-year initiative. Officials said that if it passes, you won’t see the metro parks on the ballot again for a decade. But if the levy fails, residents will see it on the ballot again in November.