In 2000, Platte County completed its first Park System Master plan. Before that plan, the entire county park system consisted of a single 18-acre neighborhood park. As a result, the County Commission determined that citizens would be asked to support a half cent sales tax, with a sunset of 10 years, to provide funding for the planned improvements in the master plan. In August 2000, citizens voted in favor of the sales tax initiative and the Platte County Parks & Recreation Department was established in 2001.
Combined with grants and donations, over $60,000,000 has been invested in:
• Five parks with over 800 acres of protected open space
• Fifteen miles of walking and bicycle trails
• Two community centers in partnership with the YMCA
• The Springs Family Aquatics Center in partnership with Kansas City, MO
• $2 million in parks grants to cities schools and neighborhoods
• $4.4 million in stormwater projects to fix bridges, culverts and infrastructure
• $1.6 million in stormwater grants to fix flooding & erosion problems and promote water quality
In 2009, voters once again approved a half-cent sales tax for another 10 years and new master plan was also adopted. The master plan is available by clicking here. Platte County Parks & Recreation Department is looking forward to the next 10 years and being able to add more miles of trails, enhance community centers with expansion plans, and improve parks and open spaces with upgrades and expansion. |
