Guest Column: Proposition 1: Vote ‘yes’ for community and kids

On Nov. 2, Columbia residents on will have the opportunity to vote “yes” for our community and our kids. A “yes” vote on Proposition 1 to renew the Park Sales Tax will help our economy, community and quality of life.
Regional Economic Development Inc. compiles a list of kudos. Most items on this list relate to Columbia being a great place to live. As one looks over the list, many key words pop out: parks, quality of life, leisure, festivals, outdoor activities and entertainment. Certainly our parks system contributes to Columbia being a viable, attractive place to live and, in turn, a great place to do business. Studies have shown that well-maintained parks, trails and open spaces are important to the economic health of a community.
Columbia is a popular destination for many athletic tournaments, such as the Show-Me State Games. Maintaining and improving our parks and athletic facilities make it possible to attract such large athletic events. Those park maintenance and improvement funds come primarily from the Park Sales Tax. One proposed 2010 Park Sales Tax project is the next phase of construction of the baseball complex at Atkins Park. When completed, the facility will be of tournament quality level, able to host even more tournaments that would bring more revenue to our city. Visitors to Columbia, through their retail purchases, contribute to the upkeep of our parks.
Providing safe, quality facilities for our youth is important. About 400 youth teams competed in leagues co-sponsored by Parks and Recreation during the past year. These young athletes learn the importance of physical activity and healthy habits that will benefit them as they grow into adults.
Even kids who don’t play recreational or competitive sports benefit from a good parks and recreation system. A national poll conducted in 2009 by the Trust for Public Land asked families if the tough economy changed the way they use public parks and playgrounds. The results revealed a definite increase in their use, especially among park users with children in the household.
In addition to parks and playgrounds, Parks and Recreation offers a number of recreational programs for youth that engages them in wholesome activities and teaches skills. The Park Sales Tax is the main funding source for the maintenance and development of the recreational facilities that host such programs.
I have been a teacher and coach with the Columbia Public Schools for 34 years. During that time, I have had numerous opportunities to see the positive benefits that Columbia’s parks and recreation program provides our youth and our city. The city and the schools have worked together to offer many facilities and programs that neither could have furnished on its own. The clear winners have been the young people in our community reaping the rewards of this partnership. During difficult economic times, it is essential that we use our limited resources wisely. Supporting our parks and recreation programs has proven to be a smart investment in the past, and with your help, this wise investment will continue into the future.
Proposition 1 will not increase Columbia’s sales tax rate; it will remain the same. It is a small price to pay for the all the benefits our community will enjoy. If you buy an $8 meal at a restaurant, the 1/8 cent Park Sales Tax would cost you a penny. An $80 purchase will mean a dime out of your pocket for parks. One dime will not buy you much these days. But when we put it all together, it means about $2.4 million annually to preserve green space, maintain our parks and trails and develop new recreation facilities that will foster economic development, enrich our quality of life and create lifelong memories for our kids.
Show your support for parks, our community and our kids by voting “yes” on Proposition 1 on Nov. 2.
Note: Facts about the Park Sales Tax and a list of proposed projects can be found online at www.GoColumbiaMo.com