Document text
Ashland seeks land donation for trail, park ASHLAND - A new trail and bike path along Bear Creek could be built if developers can convince the property's owners to donate the land to the city. Parks commissioners voted Monday to recommend that the City Council accept the possible donation of four acres of land adjacent to Bear Creek west of Mountain Avenue. The land is part of a parcel developers Russ Dale and Evan Archerd hope to purchase from current owners, the Beagle family. The developers meet with family representatives today to negotiate for purchase of the property. A donation would give the Beagles tax savings and give the Parks Department land that is part of its open space acquisition plan. The land is in the Bear Creek flood plain. "We are trying to urge the seller to contribute the park," said Dale. Commissioners stipulated that the city will pay up to $3,000 for half the cost of an environmental study and that the current owners or the developers are responsible for removal of old machinery at the site that once housed logging equipment and a log deck. The city would pay for survey costs estimated at about $3,000. Dale and Archerd plan to develop a mix of housing on the site, which would be 10 to 12 acres after the donation, depending on final arrangements. Parks officials eventually hope to establish the trail along Bear Creek from North Mountain Park, just east of the site, to Nevada Street. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.