To the editor:

We’re sending this email because the Montgomery County Department of Parks and Heritage Services urgently needs your help. Due to budget cutbacks, the county is proposing to close county parks, trails and historic sites and eliminate the department completely.

What does this mean for you and your family?

It means the trails you enjoy will no longer be available; it means the parks you appreciate visiting, to go fishing and/or boating, have a family picnic, or attend an environmental education program, will be closed; it means the rich history of some very special historic sites including Pennypacker Mills, will not be able to be shared through guided tours and seasonal events. In addition, any cutback from the 2011 budget will result in layoffs and the loss of services, which will include closing or limiting public access to parks, trails and historic sites, decreased maintenance and security, and loss of programs and events.

In 2011, Pennypacker Mills expanded the educational programs offered by opening the 1900s History Center, renovated the classroom building into a multi-purpose space, and added parking.  Our annual visitation rivals some of the better-known regional historic sites.  Our unusually well-documented historic site and collection is a treasure of state and local history.

Montgomery County has a budget deficit of $40 million-plus dollars. The county commissioners have stated they do not want to raise taxes to balance the budget. We understand they have an extremely tough job of trying to find wise, but sustainable solutions to reduce this deficit.

We feel closing these sites should not be one of the solutions.

We choose to live and work in Montgomery County, and one of the most important reasons for doing so is the parks and historic sites, and what they have to offer. They absolutely contribute to the quality of life and help preserve our heritage.

You can help by letting our county commissioners know how important it is to keep our county parks, trails and historic sites open and by showing your support for a tax increase or other solutions to keep them open. Drop them an email, post it on Facebook and Twitter, but let them know.  The specifics of the budget, which also has a place to make comments, can be found here. You can also show your support and ask questions at an upcoming public meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be a discussion on the proposed 2012 budget. It will be held on the Eighth Floor of One Montgomery Plaza Building, in downtown Norristown. A strong public showing would go a long way toward showing the commissioners how the public feels.

If you care about Pennypacker Mills, and Montgomery County’s parks, trails and historic sites, now is the time to show it. Thank you for your support.

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Linda S. Callegari

Assistant Administrator and Educator

Pennypacker Mills