I am writing on behalf of myself and my husband, Scott Sheets, in opposition to the "possible future development" of a city park in the city of Lakesite. I realize some residents and officials of Lakesite may consider this development a revenue generator for Lakesite. However, I do not think the benefits the mayor and his commissioners anticipate outweigh the consequences neighboring residents, Lakesite’s taxpayers, or the magnificent wildlife will have to suffer as a result.
As a resident in Dallas Branch slough, I thoroughly enjoy our peaceful neighborhood. I enjoy watching the white tailed dear come down to the lake bed to lap up some water after playing on a warm sunny day, the beaver making her way up and down the river collecting wood to make a place where her new young can flourish, and the barred owls talking to one another as the night closes in. I enjoy seeing the great egret on his way south and finally returning on his way back up north each year; and nothing is more fabulous than watching the American bald eagle or osprey fly in and dive toward the earth in search of his dinner.
All of this, in addition to other wildlife is in danger as Lakesite moves forward with discussions and plans to develop this park alongside Dallas Branch Slough. Not only will trees be cut down to make way for pavilions and restrooms, but they will also be cleared to make parking lots, driveways, and a small disc park. This destruction will make the slough visible to an extremely busy Hixson Pike.
As citizens of this country, we have developed legislation to ensure the safety of the wildlife mentioned above and I hate to see our community moving backwards.
As I have researched the benefits and consequences of this potential park, I must say that I find it to be a great possibility that the city of Lakesite has not only completely disregarded the surrounding residents’ wishes, but the fact that Dallas Branch Slough does not have year round water, the park will have limited security, as well as the ongoing maintenance fees associated with this park.
Common sense tells me that a park should not be developed in an area where the city leasing from TVA will only have, at best, six months of peak participation due to access restraints throughout the remainder of the year. And during many of those months, the slough is plagued with a tremendous amount of milfoil.
Lakesite is prepared to spend an excess of $1 million by the completion of this project, but the planned boat ramp, canoe launch, and fishing pier will sit idle at least half of if not more than half of the calendar year. If I were a tax paying citizen of Lakesite, I would be infuriated that my tax dollars were going toward such destruction and waste.
In the last commission meeting, the city of Lakesite’s mayor and commissioners voted to move forward with sending the application for this park to TVA, and budgeted $20,000 to do so, all while the budget and finance commissioner of Lakesite opposed. I urge the taxpayers of Lakesite to contact Commissioner McPherson to determine why he has voted numerous times against this park.
This proposed park is a 25-year commitment where the end doesn’t justify the means. Should this development become less than what they are highly anticipating, we, in addition to the wildlife, will all end up paying the ultimate price. It would take longer time than I have left to live in my lifetime to redevelop what Lakesite will destroy.
I charge the citizens of Lakesite to stay up to date on this proposal and the progress of this proposed park. I think it is foolish to let the city take your tax dollars and develop a park that is far less beneficial than Chester Frost Park, located in a highly convenient location just three miles down the road, with year round water. In addition, I want to make them aware that no matter what falsities they are told in regards to Chester Frost Park, it is not in danger of closing. This can be confirmed through media outlets as well as Hamilton County Parks and Recreation. As a matter of fact, I strongly urge you to investigate anything you are told in regards to this park going forward.
I urge the commercial businesses within Lakesite to let the mayor and his commissioners know exactly what would benefit you. Is it new signage, landscaping, or monetary grants to renovate your spaces? I can assure you that a park will bring you little to no extra revenue and the money they are prepared to spend is also your tax dollars. Lakesite claims to be doing this for you and the community. Make them put their money where their mouth is. Hold them accountable. Your tax dollars can be spent on something much more worthwhile.
Many residents of Lakesite have gathered to meet in regards to this park, while others have been kept in the dark. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via email. Your neighbors have started a petition and many of your other neighbors have signed. Having voted to move forward with this application, this park proposal will be up for public notice in the near future. If you are against this park, please do not hesitate to let your voice be heard. I will be glad to assist you.
Kelly Sheets
Kelly_Sheets@yahoo.com
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As a member of the Lakesite community, I welcome a park in this area. We live in a great part of the country and I think this small stretch of land that is currently covered in what I call scrub brush is not anything majestic to look at.
At one time, some of that land was maintained. I used to walk to the lake from the Dallas Bay Red Food. Now, its blocked. I used to walk through those woods and it was nice. I think it would be great to go again and be able to sit on a dock and watch the wildlife.
If I can watch a coyote run down Hwy 153, which I did a few days ago, I think we can handle a little parking lot in a small patch of woods that for the most part isn't even thought of as a wildlife preserve.
Soddy Lake is a preserve for birds, and we still go there. Fall Creek Falls has parking lots and roads everywhere, and we still enjoy it. We see red foxes in Chester Frost Park, and there are roads and campers all over.
I'm all for it. Parks are what make this part of our country great. A small strip of land that is mostly attended to by mosquitoes is not what I would call desirable land for a wildlife sanctuary.
Develop it into a place that all life, be it wild or tame, can enjoy.
Jaime Raines
Soddy Daisy/ Lakesite Area
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The property in question is approximately 48 acres which is owned by TVA and is already designated as “Public Recreation” area.
Currently the land is completely overgrown, unkempt, and is being used by vagrants and others for questionable activities.
The city of Lakesite has proposed to TVA through their formal application process to undertake the cleanup and care of this property in order to allow not only its residents but all to enjoy this beautiful land in its natural splendor.
This will be accomplished through and not limited to the following:
During the formal application process, TVA will conduct many extensive studies on all environmental impacts that the park will have on the land and its natural inhabitants. If TVA finds anything that they feel is not up to their standards or will hurt the environment, this process will not go any further.
Passive means as little disruption to nature as possible. Underbrush will be cut back where necessary. Trees will be removed only where there is a necessity, meaning dead or dying trees and trees that are weak and might be in danger of falling.
The make up of the access road has yet to be determined. (asphalt, concrete, gravel, etc.) The dock and ramp would be for fishing and launching of non-motorized crafts only, meaning for row boats, canoes, etc. Water access is but a fraction of the valuable natural experience that this park will open up to us all. The make up of the proposed walking/hiking trails has also not yet been determined. The restrooms and proposed pavilions have been limited in number and design to be eco-friendly and as non invasive as possible. The proposed disc golf course is closer to the main road (Hixson Pike) and further away from any possible natural animal habitat as possible.
The passive park design was chosen to have the least environmental impact on the land and nature while allowing people the opportunity to enjoy communing with nature and studying the local native wildlife. The park will open up new opportunities for people, especially the young to learn about and enjoy science and nature in the natural native beauty that is all around us.
The issue of public safety is as important as preserving the natural habitat. The city is researching all the ways that safety can be maintained while creating as little environmental disruption as possible. By eliminating the vast underbrush, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputies will have the ability to view what is going on back there. Currently they can see nothing. There have been numerous complaints about the various problems that take place there now that the police can neither see nor correct or prevent. With the opening of this park, they will in fact have access to perform regular patrols.
I strongly urge all Lakesite residents to seek out the actual plans for this property by visiting the Lakesite City Hall; 9201 Rocky Point Rd, Lakesite, TN, Monday – Thursday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m.-12 p.m. to view the plans for themselves.
Valerie Boddy
Lakesite, TN
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In response to the residents that feel a new Lakesite city park is a positive development for this community, I must say that I disagree. Not only does Lakesite already have a public park in the center of their own neighborhood, they also have a private park, as well as a pool. During past private meetings that Lakesite had with concerned residents, many residents of Lakesite expressed their concern that Lakesite doesn't even properly maintain what they already have. As a result, residents weren't convinced that a new park would be properly maintained. I tend to agree.
Jaime Raines stated that the property in question is what is referred to as "scrub brush" or a mosquito habitat. Having lived here for over 30 years, I can testify that it is a very beautiful, unpopulated, highly wooded area with a huge variety of wildlife. There is underbrush, but honestly, much of the wildlife we see is in that area. With that being said, Raines also stated he watched a coyote run down Highway 153. While I'm sure anyone would enjoy such an opportunity, coyotes running along Highway 153 is nothing to be desired. All this tells me is the coyote has been run out of his habitat due to over-development, and we should leave some areas available to wildlife without human disturbance. If we have places to enjoy such as Chester Frost Park, Fall Creek Falls, and Lakesite's current city park, we hardly need another one just a trot down the road.
Ms. Boddy mentioned vagrants and questionable activities. Since this proposed park is located directly across the slough from my home, I can testify that is untrue. A camper was there during the summer and did not disturb anyone. He fished on occasion and swam with his wife and child. He did leave his tent there, but he returned nearly every weekend with his family. He hasn't been back since the weather has turned chilly, and I tend to believe he was just a guy from a close neighborhood enjoying a private camp during the summer. I can assure you that it was not his home.
The current safety of this property is a non-issue. However, cutting down trees and removing underbrush, as well as developing structures and roadways, will open up the opportunity for questionable activities to take place after park hours.
Basing an opinion on hearsay in regards to this property is not only ignorant, but irresponsible. I live here everyday and have for the majority of my life. I can assure you that the majority of people making statements about this property do not have the firsthand knowledge that myself or my neighbors possess.
In addition, and while this may seem selfish to some, please try to put yourself in my perspective. My home will suddenly be visible from Hixson Pike, and strangers will be near my home everyday. We have families here, we have our personal property, and we also have our privacy. All of that will be in jeopardy, and no one seems to care.
Bob Sheets