How to State Parks and trails benefit you? | 2016 Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax Renewal

Headlines are quick hits from media outlets from Missouri and around the world. Follow the headline link for the full story. The source of this headline says:

SERVICES

• Unlike most states, there are no entrance or day-use fees in Missouri State Parks. The public can enter every state park and historic site at no charge.

• The tax allows staff to provide service directly to visitors by maintaining parks and historic sites, upgrading facilities or assisting guests.

• New initiatives have focused on engaging youth in the wonder of the outdoors. In 2014 alone, nearly 55,000 interpretive programs were presented in state parks and historic sites.

• The park system works to offer new services to guests, including:

– New lodging opportunities such as yurts and camper cabins

– Upgraded campground amenities, including shower houses

– Expanded recreational resources from additional miles of trail to new opportunities to kayak and canoe

FACILITIES

• The consistent funding from the sales tax has allowed Missouri State Parks to maintain and upgrade the state park system to better serve the needs of visitors and protect resources.

• This includes repairing, renovating and maintaining buildings, restrooms, shelter houses and cabins, while also stabilizing and protecting historic structures. Recent
examples include:

– Cabin renovations at Montauk State Park.

– Roof repair at Mark Twain Birthplace State Historic Site.

– Restoration of the historic Civilian Conservation Corps Alta Shelter at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park.

• In order to provide more opportunities for the public to experience nature and explore history, the funding helps support the development of new state parks and historic sites. A recent example is Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site, which was opened in 2012. The site marks the first time African-American troops were engaged in Civil War combat.

• Missouri State Parks manages a wide variety of structures and facilities. These include:

– 49 regulated public water systems

– More than 2,000 structures

– 260 miles of paved roadway

– More than 130 shelters

– 96 wastewater systems

– 1,000 miles of trail

– More than 3,500 campsites

THE RESPONSE

• More than 18 million people visit the state park system each year.

• Missouri State Parks consistently receives a 97 percent approval rating from guests.

• The park system is consistently ranked among the top four park systems in the country and Missouri has received national recognition as the best state for camping and for having the best trail system in the country.

• Missouri’s state parks and historic sites contribute to a healthy economy. Results of an economic impact study released in 2012 estimated that annual expenditures of state park visitors total approximately $778 million.

– The overall economic impact of these expenditures is estimated at $1.02 billion in sales, $307 million in payroll and related income, and $123 million in federal, state and local taxes.

– Visitors’ expenditures support 14,535 jobs.

– For every dollar spent by Missouri State Parks to operate the state park system, Missouri’s economy sees a $26 return on investment.

– Scientific evidence suggests that parks and recreation are improving the health of communities and citizens. Missouri State Parks contributes to improving visitor’s health and well-being.

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How to State Parks and trails benefit you? | 2016 Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax Renewal

MoBikeFed comment: The Parks, Soils, and Water tax is up for renewal on the Nov 8th, 2016, ballot. The tax funds the Katy Trail, the Rock Island Trail, and more than 1000 miles of trails in Missouri State Parks.

Find out more about the issue at:

https://soilwaterparks.com