Metro Councilman Jim King, who
represents the neighborhoods, has worked out a deal to
get a vacant property
turned over to the city at no cost. The city plans to turn it into a
"pocket park" -- a term for parks smaller than five
acres.
The property is about 100 feet by 400 feet and sits at
the intersection of Curtis Avenue and Durrett Lane,
north of the
Watterson Expressway. It's in Belmar, but near the Camp
Taylor border. The park is to be called Belmar Green.
The state highway department has owned the land since
1986, said Andrea Clifford, spokeswoman for the
department's local office.
"That was property that was acquired for the
Watterson Expressway reconstruction and not all of it
needed" to be used, Clifford said.
She added that the highway department intends to
transfer the property to the city. It's uncertain how
long that will take
because the state has a detailed process it must follow.
Clifford said the transfer has to be approved by the
state and then the city. And, even though the state is
not charging for the land,
it must have the property appraised.
Pocket parks are not new.
Jason Cissell, spokesman for Metro Parks, said the
city has as many as 60 such parks. He said some are
maintained
by Metro Parks, others by neighborhood groups.
Liz Martin, president of the Belmar Neighborhood
Association, said neighbors want the pocket park.
"There is no space really for us to gather," she
said.
The park will be "a happy alternative to other
possibilities for folks to get involved with out here,"
Martin said. "We're
surrounded by a lot of liquor stores and tobacco stores,
but nothing with a neighborhood-type atmosphere."
Even with larger parks in the area, such as Camp
Taylor Park, a smaller, quieter park is needed, said
Phillip Kavanaugh,
president of the new Camp Zachary Taylor Neighborhood
Association.
That relaxed atmosphere helps create community
togetherness, he said.
King said it's too early to know specific plans for
the property, but he hopes it will be available soon.
"I'm trying to create a gathering place for folks out
there."
Reporter Scheri Smith can be reached at (502)
582-4133. |
