On Tuesday night the St. Louis County Council moved one step closer to approving a plan to build a zip-line course in Creve Coeur Park.
Some residents, however, continue to raise concerns about its location and potential impact on wildlife.
Others, like Mike Meredith, say the so called treetop adventure course would be a distraction.
“I would hate to see that beauty and that camaraderie of people out enjoying the nature to be disrupted by a zip-line,” Meredith told council members. “I say that knowing full well that I kind of like zip lines, just not in Creve Coeur Park. “
But County Executive Charlie Dooley said there’s plenty of room in the park for nature lovers and the zip-line course.
Council Chairwoman Kathleen Kelly Burkett represents the district where the course would be located and said despite some opposition most of the constituents she’s talked with are in favor of the plan.
“It’s a long course; it takes two and half to three hours,” Burkett said. “It’s not something that’s like an amusement ride where you’ll just be moving people in and out of there. So, I think it’s a good thing.”
Late last year, a plan to put it in Greensfelder Park was scrapped after it faced stiff opposition from several residents.
If approved, it’s estimated that the zip-line course would bring in up to $60,000 in revenue for the county during the first year and $100,000 annually after that.
The council could give the plan final approval as soon as next week.
Homeless Services
For the third week in a row, members of Reverend Larry Rice’s New Life Evangelistic Center told the St. Louis County Council that the county is lacking resources for the homeless
Rice has been pushing the county to expand its homeless services.
The public comments during last night’s council meeting were often emotional, and Angela Gladden told the council the situation is desperate.
“I was a hard worker and I never thought I would be standing here begging for help,” Gladden said, on the edge of tears. “We need you.”
County Executive Charlie Dooley said the county is working toward expanding its services, but there are logistical concerns that must be resolved.
Council Chairwoman Kathleen Kelly Burkett said her life has been personally touched by homelessness, and that the situation is too serious to ignore.
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