For nearly 30 years, Wayne Kennedy worked to ensure that St. Louis County's map was littered with splotches of green.

He saw God's handiwork in fields and forests. And he knew that if someone didn't preserve green space in the county, it would soon be gone.

"We were trying to beat the developers," he said.

So Kennedy, the county's parks director until 1991, talked farmers into sacrificing land, the wealthy into donating money and the federal government into giving him grants.

Then last week, Kennedy learned his legacy was in jeopardy.

A budget proposal from County Executive Charlie A. Dooley called for closing 23 of the county's 50 active parks, including Lone Elk, George Winter and Greensfelder.

"I think it's ridiculous," Kennedy said in an interview. He added that Garry Earls, the county's chief operation officer, should be "tarred and feathered" for the plan.

For those whose families gave money and land to create parks they believed would exist forever, Dooley's action also was seen as a betrayal.

"What the hell do they think they are doing?" said Mark Ohlendorf, whose parents, Howard and Irma Ohlendorf, donated the money to buy 4.5 acres in 1969 for Ohlendorf Park in south St. Louis County. "My father was afraid if someone didn't set aside green space, it would all be gone. He turned out to be correct."

County officials say they face a fiscal crisis and can no longer afford to maintain all parks without cutting into essential services like police, fire and street maintenance.

"This is not because we lack any commitment to green space," Earls said.

Officials have said they hoped that many of the parks could be taken over by municipalities or the state. In addition to the park closures, Dooley and his administrators have recommended job cuts, an increase in fees for construction permits and scaling back snow removal.

Dooley has sent his budget plan to the County Council, where it has already met with skepticism. Some council members have said they believe the administration is exaggerating the budget problems and are confident alternatives can be found to keep the parks open. The council has formed a committee to review the budget proposal.

But for now, those who helped create the parks are worried about what will happen to the properties.

Joanne Kohn, for example, wonders what kind of message park closings would send to groups who want to partner with government in preservation efforts.

Kohn worked for eight years with other volunteers to raise $1.7 million for 10.5 acres that became Ebsworth Park, which features a renovated 1950s Frank Lloyd Wright house. The park was named after the parents of Barney Ebsworth, a philanthropist who donated $1 million to the cause.

Kohn said it was important for the site to become a public park so everyone could enjoy it. In 2001, the county agreed to accept the property.

Under a lease agreement, the home is managed by the nonprofit Frank Lloyd Wright House in Ebsworth Park. The county maintains the grounds.

"It's a perfect example of public and private energies working together," said Kohn, who is board chairman of the nonprofit.

According to the deed for the property, the land will revert to the group if the county fails to perform its duties, Kohn said.

"I'll do everything I can to keep it functioning," she said.

But not everyone resents the county's proposal.

"I don't think this is permanent," said John Alberici, whose company, Alberici Constructors, donated 93 acres for the creation of Unger Park near Interstates 44 and 270 in 1974.

Alberici hopes that if the park closes, it will reopen in better economic times. "Every family in this economy is going through some adjustment," he said.

Kennedy, the former parks director, first received word of the possible closures on Friday, when he opened his mail.

Kennedy, 88, now lives in Fort Myers, Fla. His sister-in-law sent him a copy of a Post-Dispatch article about the proposed budget cuts.

"It would be a travesty," he said, "to do away with all that work."