For seven years, the non-profit Equine-Assisted Therapy organization has used the stables and pasture at Longview Farm Park in Town & Country for its program to provide equestrian experiences to those with disabilities.

"But we recently had to move our classes to Wednesdays from Saturdays," said founder and director Ginni Hartke.

"Saturdays got so crowded in the parking lot. Longview is a really popular park, but with our disabled kids getting in and out of cars and going through the lot with so many cars, it was dangerous. Plus, it takes three volunteers for each kid who rides, so our people were adding to the traffic situation."

Tight parking at the 34-acre park, 13525 Clayton Road, is leading the city to consider expanding the number of parking spaces, raising the number by about 15 from the current 65.

"We have safety concerns with the traffic flow now," said Anne Nixon, the city's director of parks and recreation.

However, some residents, including those in neighboring Wheatfield subdivision, are protesting a proposal to apply for up to $4,000 in grant money from the St. Louis County Municipal Park Commission to plan the expansion. The proposal is expected to come up for a vote by the board of aldermen on Feb. 13.

According to an online petition, opponents believe the expansion will mean cutting down large trees and paving over green space to add new parking spaces.

Opponents plan to send their petition to the St. Louis County Municipal Park Grant Commission, urging the group to turn down the grant application. The group has 50 signatures as of Jan. 23.

Resident Hank Vogt, a member of the city's Ad-Hoc Parking Committee for Longview Farm, and others contend the city has reneged on its promises to keep the 10-year-old park passive.

"That park is already overdeveloped," said Vogt, who lives in Wheatfield.

The park features a picnic pavilion, restrooms, playground, walking trails, horse stables and fenced pasture, the historic Longview Farm House, which hosts various events, a tennis court, and lake with a fountain, where catch-and-release fishing is permitted.

Former Alderman Jim Haven said taking the planning grant funds "would implicitly send you down the road to do that parking project." Haven recommended further study to determine if there's a real need for more parking.

Resident Mariette Palmer backed a citywide survey on the need for more parking "because it's not just Wheatfield that's opposed." Even Hartke, whose organization provides 336 kids' lessons from April through October at the park and boards anywhere from two to four horses at the stables, said she would hate to see more parking there.

"It's a quiet and private neighborhood park now, and more parking will mean more in and out traffic," she said. "I'm afraid that will create a dangerous situation for us, with so many more cars."

As part of the proposed improvement, new parking spaces would be added between the tennis court and the farm house and some existing spaces on the west side of the tennis court would be restriped to make them angled.

Also, driveway alignment work would be done to improve safety and visibility, Nixon said. Plans are to have only a single lane entrance on the east side of the tennis court and have only a single lane exit on the west side. Cars can now enter and exit at each location.

All told, construction is estimated to cost up to $100,000. City officials have said a decision on whether to go ahead with construction won't be made until fall when a larger commission grant would be sought.

Nixon said there's been an increasing use of the park for a variety of reasons, especially the farm house.

"There are more facility rentals at Longview Farm House, such as for wedding receptions, anniversary parties, baby showers, birthday parties, and more," Nixon said. "Also, use of the playground has increased over time."

If there are more cars than parking spaces during special events, people now just park on the grass, she said.

At around noon on a recent overcast, chilly Friday, some park users were divided over the need for more parking.

At the stables, Peggy Browne, who lives in Town & Country and volunteers with Equine-Assisted Therapy, said that, except for weekends or times when there are special events, she's found parking is usually pretty good.

"But if they have the Easter egg hunt or the fall festival, parking does get really crowded," she said.

Avril Dooley, of Chesterfield, was with her children, James, 3, and Lauren, 18 months, on the playground and said she comes to Longview Farm a lot.

"Sometimes, parking is tight but I've never come when it was so crowded I couldn't get a spot, even on nice days," she said. "I wouldn't put more spaces in. I'd hate to see the park become overly crowded. I love it the way it is."

On the walking trail near the tennis court, Jean Bauer, of West County near Town & Country, said parking normally isn't a problem when she comes two or three times a week.

"But during events I've driven through and have to leave because I can't find a space," she said.

Julie Goldman, of Town & Country, was walking Jake, her almost 3-year-old golden retriever.

"I normally have to come here at 5:30 or 6:30 in the morning because it gets so crowded, especially in the summer, that you can't find a place to park," she said. "When there's a special event, I don't even bother. They need the extra parking to serve people who are already coming here."