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Shady Cove OKs land swap Riverfront landowners will donate to park in trade for old right-of-way SHADY COVE -- The same bank of the Rogue River where crews are laying a new sewer pipe this week is the site of a land trade between the Shady Cove City Council and two Rene Drive residents. The City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to vacate a River Street right-of-way, giving the parcel to George and Marie Groom and Jerome Alden, the home owners on either side. In exchange, the Grooms and Alden will make a donation to the city that is equal to the appraised value of the 60-foot-wide and 482-foot-long parcel. "The city will keep a permanent easement 20 feet wide where the sewer pipe is being laid," said Jerry L'Estrange, city administrator. Marie Groom said the subdivision plan, plotted in 1962, calls the right-of-way "River Street," but it has never been developed. The right-of-way that is sandwiched in between her home and Alden's log home includes a flat, gravel access to the river. To get to the riverbank, folks must trespass on the driveway that the Grooms and Alden share. A previous property owner even built a garage on top of the right-of-way. "The developer didn't research it very carefully because in order to come down to launch a boat or fish, people were parking on our property," she said. Even if folks didn't have to trespass to use this stretch, the parcel isn't wide enough to park or turn around a boat trailer, she said. The city will use the right-of-way donation from the Grooms and Alden to help purchase another parcel of land on Rene Drive for a city park. The park will have picnic tables and access to the river for fishing. The council is expected to approve the second reading of the River Street ordinance when it meets in November. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA