Preservationists
are in discussions to acquire a 322-acre tract that would expand the boundaries
of the Warner Parks and create a forest experience that could mirror parts
of the Smoky Mountains.
Friends of Warner Parks, a group dedicated to
preserving and protecting Percy and Edwin Warner Parks, hopes to buy the
parcel from H.G. Hill Realty Co. and give it to the city parks department.
The parcel is between Highway 100 and U.S. 70S
(near Coronada—next to Windsor Terrace). Of the tract's 322 acres,
more than 200 consist of old growth forest, said Lawson Allen, president
of Friends of Warner Parks.
Research shows there are only two other old-growth
forests in urban areas in the country, and those are in the Pacific Northwest,
Lawson said. An old-growth forest typically refers to a natural forest
undisturbed by logging, windstorms, fire or significant human activity.
"There's nothing in the country of this size
where you could actually have schoolchildren go out and walk trails in
a growth forest that's never been cut and feel the full effect of what
you might experience in the heart of Smoky Mountains, but be able to do
it right here in a major city," Lawson said.
James Granbery, chief executive of H.G. Hill Realty,
declined to comment about any negotiations with Friends of Warner Parks.
Land bought in 1800s
Lawson said the forest must have escaped being
logged because H.G. Hill acquired the property in the 1800s — before
major loggers came through the area. |
Friends
of Warner Parks has previously purchased 150 acres along the north side
of Highway 100. If the group is able to buy the H.G. Hill land, it would
combine both tracts and give them to the city at one time, organization
officials said.
Roy Wilson, director of Metro Parks and Recreation
Department, said the city would "land-bank" the park as
part of the Warner Parks system and eventually develop a walking trail.
He said a cave was also on the property.
No city money would be involved in the purchase,
he said. However the group is applying for state and federal grants and
soliciting donations.
Lawson said his organization has been talking
with corporate leaders to raise funds. "We've had good support from
the city as well as the state. We've tried to raise funds toward this
effort even if we don't have a
contract."
Edwin and Percy Warner Parks consist of more
than
2,600 acres.
"This piece of property is probably the
last large piece of property that's available for sale," said Eleanor
Willis, executive director of Friends of Warner Parks.
"The primary goal is to protect the existing
park because of any number of developments moving forward along Highway
100," Lawson said. "We wanted to protect the boundaries, and
this new piece of property could be a gem to this community."
Contact Rachel Stults at 726-8904 or rstults@tennessean.com.
Staff writer Natalia Mielczarek contributed to this report.
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