PARKS & TRAILS LEVY 2024

EARLY VOTING MAY 1-11TH (except Sundays)  ELECTION DAY- MAY 14

AN URGENT NEED TO RENEW LEVY

The operating and maintenance budget for Monongalia County Parks, Morgantown City Parks, and MRTC Rail-Trails depend on levy funds to provide the services and maintain conditions of many of our valued recreation facilities.

The 2020 Monongalia County Parks and Trails levy produced major improvements and additions to the Westover Little League fields, kept the rail-trail maintained despite major landslides, provided a financial foundation to renovate the ice arena, and helped support major expansions of facilities and services at Camp Muffly, Mason-Dixon, and Chestnut Ridge Parks. This levy renewal is needed to help the parks continue to improve to meet residents’ needs. Without this levy, the parks and trails would not have adequate, reliable funding to survive.

A SMALL REQUEST

Example: The proposed 4-year Parks and Trails Levy will cost the average “Class 2” (residential) homeowner, whose property is valued at $160,000, and therefore assessed at $100,000 just $11.60/year – or 97 cents/month!  Each levy must get 60% of the vote to be successful.

 

A GREAT VALUE FOR OUR QUALITY OF LIFE

Funds will be used to maintain and improve three county parks, the Mon River and Deckers Creek Rail-Trails, the WV Botanic Garden, and improve facilities for youth and adult recreation and sports.  Besides providing healthy and fun opportunities to recreate for all ages, this investment also protects wildlife habitat, water quality, and air quality.

PARKS AND TRAILS SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Parks, trails and recreation facilities enhance property values, provide recreational opportunities, improve human health, attract visitors, and provide natural goods and services such as filtering air pollutants, managing stormwater, and encouraging less cars and more commuting by bike and foot to work, shops and school. These recreational assets support local jobs, boost spending at local businesses, and create local tax revenue.

Businesses invest much more in communities where the quality of life is high, and parks and trails contribute dramatically to quality of life. If the Greater Morgantown area is to compete with other municipalities for continued economic development, we must continue to invest our parks and trails. This investment pays huge dividends.

THE BREAKDOWN PER YEAR FROM THE LEVY

$671,061 – Monongalia County Parks – $241,061 for operations and $430,000 for projects Camp Muffly Park- Improvements to buildings, cabins, pool slide, and ADA accessibility. Chestnut Ridge Park- Improvements to buildings, cabins, campsites, tubing area & stage, ADA accessibility, and road access to connect both RV sections of the campground.

Mason-Dixon Historical Park- Improvements to buildings, cabins, upgrades to sports areas, restrooms, and trails.

$281,582 BOPARC Tennis, Basketball & Pickleball Courts – Renovations, Upgrades and Additions

$100,000 -Mon River and Deckers Creek Rail-Trails – Operations and Maintenance

$40,000- Laurel Point Soccer Complex & Cheat Lake Soccer Fields- Operations and Maintenance

$40,000- WV Botanic Garden- Facility Development and access improvements

$40,000- Westover Park – Improvements to Westover Park and Baseball Fields