Save the Parks - St. Charles
A grassroots initiative to protect our public parks for future generations
Where to Sign the PetitionOur Campaign
The Problem
Communities across the country are facing the growing issue of public parkland being sold to developers and private interests, often without public knowledge or input. In October 2024, this occurred in St. Charles when Mueller Park was sold in a closed-door agreement between the Park Board and City Council. Currently, there are discussions underway regarding the sale of the developing Legacy Farms Park. Additionally, two councilwomen have filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a voter-approved amendment that limits who has the authority to sell parkland.
Our Purpose
We are a grassroots campaign dedicated to protecting public parks in St. Charles, Missouri. Our initiative petition seeks to ensure that no city-owned parkland can be sold or transferred without the approval of the voters. Our mission is to safeguard green spaces for current and future generations.
Current Activities:
- We hold regular meetings to share updates and coordinate petition efforts.
- Volunteers are actively collecting signatures at community events, including every Saturday morning at the St. Charles Farmers Market.
Signature Progress:
We have collected approximately 2,000 of the 4,450 signatures required and have until October to reach our goal.
🚨 UPCOMING SIGNATURE COLLECTION EVENT 🚨
Help us reach our goal - Come sign or volunteer!
Friends of the Library Book Fair
Location: Family Arena
Friday, August 1st
Noon to 9 PM
Saturday, August 2nd
9 AM to 6 PM
Sunday, August 3rd
10 AM to 3 PM
Want to Volunteer to Collect Signatures?
Email us at: [email protected]
Mueller Park: What Happened
What Happened?
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In October 2024, Mueller Park (also known as the St. Charles Soccer Complex) was sold without public notice or input.
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In Fall 2024 over 65 youth soccer teams (1,000+ children) played there weekly through SCCYSA, which had used the park since 1978.
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Mueller Park was also used by local schools and teams for rugby, cricket, volleyball, football, biking, and more.
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The sale transferred ownership to INVESCO Group, LLC (owner: Sidik Nuhanovic of Arnold, MO).
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The Park and Recreations Board went into closed sessions to discuss the sale of the park and to keep the public from being aware. They have repeatedly said it was a "good deal". If it was such a good deal why did they hide it from the public?
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The City Council intentionally kept it under wraps. The bill was fast-tracked to eliminate public input. Mueller park was labeled as surplus property on the bill (#13896) to obscure its status as a public park. The co-sponsors of the bill to sell the park were Michael Galba and Mary West.
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No appraisal was conducted, the park sold for only $3 million — while estimates ranged from $6 to $10 million.
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Meanwhile, the Parks Board approved $4 million to upgrade baseball fields at Wapelhorst Park adding turf fields (construction starting Aug 2025).
Why It Matters
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Mueller Park (est. 1973) was built by volunteers, nonprofits, and sustained by taxpayers for over 50 years.
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Over 100,000 people visited annually — it was vital piece of community infrastructure.
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In current St. Charles city parks: 24 baseball/softball fields exist, but only 4 fields are usable for soccer (2 non-regulation at Wapelhorst, 2 shared at McNair Park with rugby)
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Youth sports like soccer are being sidelined while public assets are quietly sold without transparency or input.
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In St. Charles City Parks, baseball is currently prioritized over soccer and other sports, despite strong participation in soccer and other sports by city youth.
🛑 Save Our City Charter – Know the Case 🛑
Mary West & Bridget Ohmes v. City of St. Charles – Case No. 2411-CC01537
Concerned about the future of our parks and voter-approved protections in St. Charles? Here's what you need to know about the ongoing court case and how it could impact our city charter.
Case Summary
Filed: December 23, 2024 in the St. Charles County Circuit Court, this case challenges the constitutionality of a 2001 amendment to the city charter that granted the Parks and Recreation Board authority over parkland decisions and funding. Plaintiffs, Councilmembers Mary West and Bridget Ohmes, argue the amendment is invalid. The City of St. Charles agrees, raising concerns among citizens about a 'friendly lawsuit' that may undo decades of voter-approved protections without a public vote.
Key Parties
- Plaintiffs: Councilmembers Mary West and Bridget Ohmes
- Defendant: City of St. Charles, Missouri
- Denied Intervenors: St. Charles Parks and Recreation Board
- Pending Intervenors: Concerned taxpayers (current and former Park Board members) represented by attorney Kimberley Mathis
Timeline of Major Events
Dec 27, 2024
City summoned
Jan 2, 2025
Park Board files to intervene
May 30, 2025
Court denies Park Board intervention
Jun 9, 2025
Citizens/taxpayers file to intervene
Jun 18, 2025
City files Answer agreeing with Plaintiffs
Jun 30, 2025
City files motion to disqualify attorney Kimberley Mathis
Aug 28, 2025
Next scheduled court date
What's at Stake?
- Charter Challenge – Will the Park Board lose authority over parks?
- Voter Intent – Will court action override what 73% and 82% of voters approved?
- Representation – Are both Plaintiffs and the City working toward the same outcome?
Relevant Missouri Cases on Charter Authority
- City of Kansas City v. Chastain (2014) – Initiatives can't require spending without new revenue.
- Boeving v. Kander (2016) – Courts block mandates that impose unfunded obligations.
- State ex rel. Card v. Kaufman (1974) – Charter can't be changed to force spending.
- Doyle v. Tidball (2021) – No violation if new rules don't require appropriation.
Why It Matters
This case could shift control over our city's parklands away from a citizen-led Park Board to elected officials, without a public vote. Protecting the integrity of our Charter means ensuring voters—not politicians or lawsuits—decide how our parks are governed.
đź“Ł Stay informed. Talk to your neighbors. Get involved. This affects all of us!
🔔 Case Update – As of July 2025 🔔
On June 30, 2025, the City of St. Charles filed a motion to disqualify attorney Kimberley Mathis from representing the group of intervening taxpayers—many of whom are current or former Park Board members. The City argues that:
- Ms. Mathis previously attempted to represent the Parks and Recreation Board, which the court later ruled had no independent legal standing to sue.
- The City considers that representation as effectively representing the City itself, and that Mathis is now conflicted because her new clients (the intervening taxpayers) are adverse to the City.
- The City claims Ms. Mathis was privy to confidential information from Board closed sessions and communications and should be disqualified from further involvement in the case.
This motion raises serious questions about legal strategy and conflicts of interest. No ruling on the motion has been issued as of this update. Next court date is August 28th, 2025.
đź“ť Reminder: The court has not yet ruled on whether the citizens/taxpayers may intervene in the case, and the constitutionality of the 2001 Charter Amendment remains undecided.
Upcoming Events
Court Hearing
Next court date for the charter case
Case Information: Missouri Case.net – Case No. 2411-CC01537
Morning
Farmers Market Signature Collection
St. Charles Farmers Market
Our volunteers collect signatures every Saturday morning at the St. Charles Farmers Market. Stop by to sign the petition or to volunteer to help collect signatures.
How You Can Help
Sign the Petition
Your signature helps ensure that no city-owned parkland can be sold without voter approval.
Visit us at community events or the St. Charles Farmers Market on Saturday mornings to sign.
Volunteer
Help collect signatures, attend events, or assist with campaign coordination.
Email us at:
[email protected]
Spread the Word
Share information with friends, neighbors, and on social media.
Save the Parks Campaign PageOur Progress
Signatures Collected
Signatures Needed
Deadline
Boonslick Park Stormwater Project & Riverpointe Dirt Relocation
Many people have asked about the work being done at Boonslick park and the dirt being removed. Following is what has been learned so far.
Project Overview
The City of St. Charles is actively managing a Public Works project at Boonslick Park aimed at resolving persistent stormwater and flooding issues in the surrounding area. This initiative is designed to alleviate flooding that has impacted homes along 6th Street and caused frequent overflows on Boones Lick Road, particularly between 2nd Street and Riverside Drive.
The primary causes of flooding have been identified as overland flow and an undersized or substandard stormwater system.
Proposed Solution
The proposed solution includes regrading the basin in Boonslick Park to remain dry and gently sloped for easier maintenance. Once completed, the site will feature new sidewalks and a raised community garden.
The Park Board was consulted on the initial design presented by the City Engineering Department in March 2024.
Dirt Relocation
Dirt is still being removed from the site to meet the project's specifications and is reportedly being relocated to the Riverpointe Development, though it's unclear if the material is being sold or donated.
Parks and Recreation will assume responsibility for the area only after the project is fully completed.
For Project Updates
For project updates or to submit questions, visit: stcharlescitymo.gov/202/Engineering