New Plan For 'Dyas Triangle' Property Emerges

Fairhope, Alabama





FOR A "NATURE TRAIL PARK"

The city council has tentatively approved (during a work session) applying for a $500K grant administered by ADECA from the National Park Service to construct 3.2 miles of trails on the 34 acre Dyas Triangle it purchased in 2013.

A parking lot, restrooms, archery range and a "arbortorium" would also be part of the $1 million project, according to the preliminary design by Thompson Engineering.

The city's share would be actual costs -- and in-kind construction accomplished by city personnel.

This is only the second year of the National Park Service's Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program, according to its website (click).

The city council will still need to vote to appropriate the money, if the grant is awarded.

(Councilman Burrell owns property on Alice Lane, near the northern half of the property)


Project Description:

The purpose of the City of Fairhope's Nature Trail Park is to develop approximately 3.2 miles of new passive trails on a recently acquired 34 acre tract of undeveloped land located in a critical watershed (Fly Creek). The new trails will connect with the existing Eastern Shore Trail, one of Alabama's 15 National Recreation Trails and will provide natural resource based outdoor recreation activities. The project will construct 7,049 linear feet (of 1.3 miles) of 8 foot wide multi-use asphalt trail around the
perimeter of the property that is bordered by State Highways 104 and 98, and Scenic Highway 98. The project will construct 9,985 linear feet (1.9 miles) of 8 foot wide natural trail lined with wood chips. The tree trail will wind throughout the triangle shaped property. A 40 foot by 80 foot Nature Center will be constructed as part of this project. In addition, 104 parking spaces and adequate restroom facilities located near the parking lot will be constructed. All new facilities will be ADA accessible. The total project cost is estimated at $1,000,000.





Comments

Anonymous said…
That's great news! What about the other 75 acres to the north? Any news on that?
Anonymous said…
an expensive archery range. have they all lost there minds?
Anonymous said…
Better than a wal mart
Anonymous said…
I think the property should be left as it is!
Anonymous said…
A 12 million taxpayer funded waste of a good piece of property. Just green space for Bradley Byrne and his rich friends in Montrose. Joke's on all of us! :(
Anonymous said…
Why do we let them spend over $350,000 an acre using our tax dollars and then not get any public access to it?

It ought to be put to some good use for the benefit all of us.
Anonymous said…
There is no such thing as an "arbortorium." Says a great deal that Thompson Engineering, official city crony, does not know what an arboretum is, yet they are designing one.
Anonymous said…
Will the parking lot be asphalt? Sure hope not. Also, why won't it be located nearer the clock instead of up by the existing subdivision? No need in disturbing those folks.
Anonymous said…
Since when are so many people in Fairhope into Archery? Money wasted in my book.
Anonymous said…
What did I just hear, a Fairhopian concerned about the impact this project might have on their neighbors. Where’s the sympathy for the impact to those wanting to rezone on Greeno Road?
Rusty said…
I'm actually excited about this project. A nice walking trail and archery range will be a nice addition to the city. Youth archery has exploded here in Baldwin County, and we have some of the finest archerists in the state right here. Several have gone on to compete in national competitions. Having a nice outdoor range for everyone to enjoy is a nice addition. Lord knows we have plenty of ball fields!

I do agree with the poster about the entrance though. I think it should be moves away from Colonial Acres so as not to burden those folks with extra traffic and noise.
Anonymous said…
Nice walking trails sound great, but not paved ones. Also is it really necessary to have over 100 parking spaces? Archery is ok but make it so that it can be turned into something different when archery is unpopular, which will be the phase soon enough.
Anonymous said…
I live in Colonial Acres and don't see a problem with the parking area location. Sure there may be a little extra traffic or noise, but I doubt we'll notice it.
Anonymous said…
Some thing like the Belingrath Gardens in Mobile would be nice , but it will take new leadership to bring it about.
Anonymous said…
http://beaconfoodforest.org/
Anonymous said…
Wow, the person complaining about the complainers is the only one complaining, the others were just suggestions.
Publisher said…
Repetitive comments may be deleted.
Anonymous said…
This park idea is great, to have a park this large and natural park will enhance an already unbelievable quality of life.
Anonymous said…
An outdoor climbing wall would be great!
Anonymous said…
At one time it was a closed bird santurary,the lawsuits over this parcel have costs the city greatly.I find the selective process of growth in Fairhope a grievous concern.The Fly creek sediment has yet to be corrected as a result of improper environmental enforcement.I don't see a forward progressive
plan by the assigned volunteers of the planning and zoning.More study should be done if they board of the city would listen to the voting citizens.They sure haven't listened in the past so what will make this one any different.
Anonymous said…
The city has won every lawsuit or settled to just make them go away.

Filing frivolous lawsuits is a tradition here. It keeps the trial layers employed ... .
Anonymous said…
What ever happens there the public should have access to all of the property since we all payed for it.

Deranged citizens should not have it all to themselves.