August 7 Election in Olivette Includes Proposition "P" for Parks
$3 million proposal includes athletic fields, tennis courts, recreation and restroom facilities on 26 acre tract of land at Warson Park.
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The second bond issue, a referendum for improvements in Olivette is Proposition “P” for parks.
Proposition “P” authorizes $3,020,000 of City of Olivette General Obligation bonds to redevelop and rebuild Warson Park for a comprehensive outdoor athletic and recreation complex. The bonds will have a sunset provision to be paid off in 20 years. Olivette is debt free with no outstanding obligation bonds.
Olivette does not own Stacy Park. Rather, that park is owned by the City of St. Louis and leases park space to Olivette five years at a time. No permanent structures may be built at Stacy Park.
Prop P is designed to bring increased recreation to Warson Park, bound on the west by Warson Road and the South by Grandview Drive.
Plans call for the demolition of the community center on Grandview. That center runs at an annual loss, and almost all rental fees are paid by individuals and groups living outside the city.
The land has been deeded for recreation by both the United States government and the Ladue School District. Plans call for the grading of the property and the addition of four athletic fields on the 26 acres to be used for soccer, baseball and softball.
The property was previously home to the Saints Roller Rink, demolished with city funds several years ago. That facility started out as a twin ice rink and was used by the St. Louis Blues as a practice facility in the 1970s.
Some of the costs of this project will be offset by facility rental fees, and the property will include picnic pavilions, tennis courts, playground areas, bathrooms and concession stands and expanded parking.
The costs to each homeowner will be in this range:
$100,000 home $1.43 a month
$200,000 home $2.85 a month
Ruth Springer
6:12 pm on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Olivette should develop its own park. In addition to having use of Stacy Park, the addition of Warson Park, would allow the city to expand the youth athletic program, as well as schedule practices right here in Olivette. New ball fields would also allow for more adult league play. With over 12 million obese children and an even larger number of obese adults, we need to create more recreational space. For our health, for our well being. Vote yes!!!
James Baer
6:41 pm on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Yes, totally agree with you.
Warson View Resident
2:18 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
Olivette residents who care about quality of life in our city should vote NO on Proposition P. The plan will mean a significant negative impact on the residents of Warson View, the neighborhood that houses Warson Park. More ball fields will mean more noise, more traffic and more trash. Already there is too much traffic on Grandview because of the ball fields and Community Center that are in the Park now, and the traffic creates a significant safety hazard for neighborhood families with children and pets. Also there has been talk of lights being added to the Park, which would mean the Park could be open late -- another significant negative impact on the neighborhood. Besides, Olivette parks are only supposed to be open from dawn to dusk -- night lighting would be a violation of that city ordinance. The plan for Warson Park requires the removal of many mature trees and forested areas that provide habitat to birds and wildlife -- we don't want to lose those trees! And Proposition P will mean tax money spent by Olivette residents to provide recreational facilities that are used more by citizens of other cities than by Olivette residents. Does that make sense? Please vote NO on Proposition P -- our neighborhood needs your support to help us vote down this proposition!