City Gets Colony Nature Park Back

Fairhope, Alabama

EAST TWIN BEECH ROAD
Colony Nature Park

At the last council meeting, the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation turned the deed for their Colony Nature Park on Twin Beech Rd. (at CR13) back over to the city; the city council passed a resolution of acceptance.
 
  The city had the deed at one time, but agreed several years ago to turn it over to the FSTC so that the property could be subdivided and the boy scout lodge then-located behind the Methodist Church downtown could be moved to part of the property facing CR13.

The plan was for the city to immediately assume the deed again, but FSTC "politics" got in the way according to Lee Turner, reportedly about suspicions concerning the city's plans for the property.

Turner asked that the FSTC be consulted first before "anything gets built there" (like a new sewage treatment plant, he said) and got assurances from the mayor that would happen.
Turner standing

Since most of the property is wetlands, usage of the property is limited; at one time moving the Frisbee golf course there was being discussed by the Recreation Board to make way for two new baseball fields and other improvements to Volanta Park.

No other plans have been mentioned publicly, other than to maintain it as a nature park: the city's public works department is now responsible for maintenance.

The mayor has mentioned a need for another playground/splash pad on the east side of town as well, no specific location mentioned though.

(The possibility of a new sewage treatment plant has been mentioned for property the city already owns south of the airport, when the need arises.)

Scout lodge at left

Comments

Anonymous said…
this would be the perfect dog park!!! The one that exist now is the worst that I have ever been to!! We have lived all over and I have visit some pretty awesome ones . Fairhope is dog friendly so they claim but I have yet to see it!
Anonymous said…
oh my goodness, NO MORE BASEBALL FIELDS PLEASE!!!!
Anonymous said…
Volanta has had the same amount of fields for the last 10 to 15 years as the amount of kids have grown from 350 to close to 700 kids. It is time to upgrade the park like every town in Baldwin county has. It is ashame that Foley, Daphne, Robertsdale, gulfshores, orange beach, loxley,Bay minette and even Stapleton has a nicer ball park then Fairhope.
Anonymous said…
oh boo hoo, what about the baseball fields by the school ENOUGH ENOUGH ENOUGH
Anonymous said…
Are you kidding me Volanta has a ton of fields and do not welcome anyone unless you play baseball . Calm down I think you have plenty! This whole town is nothing but baseball or soccer. Think about other people and quit being selfish
ErinHH said…
This is such a beautiful place. The peace and tranquility of the open land is truly a gift to our town! I am so thankful it is here as a place for Self-centering and just to take a moment for yourself.
Patricia Carter said…
Just stumbled upon this beautiful tranquil piece of land. Never knew it was here. I live in Fairhope and found it quite by accident. It is a nice place to come and collect my thoughts and enjoy the peace and quiet. And pray to God that no sewage plant gets its hands on it. It would be a nice park where people could sit on benches, dogs could walk on leashes and kids could run and play catch. Why make it one theme. I will follow this issue from now on I believe.
Unknown said…
Please make some clearer walking trails. This place is lovely
Unknown said…
I walk this park almost daily. The city has been doing a pretty good job keeping the grass cut but better defined trails would be a great addition! Not sure what the park boundaries are but whatever you do keep the vehicle traffic out other than the parking loop. Could very easily put in a narrow pond with perimeter trail unless the wetland thing prohibits. Would be similar to the pond at Fairfield which dumps into this area during heavy rains. If anyone ever wants to start a volunteer group to do a little work in the park I might be interested! I agree that this should remain a nature park maybe add a few picnic tables and benches. Some maintenance tasks in need. Re-erect the split rail fence. I see that a few of the timbers have washed down under the 33 bridge and a lot of trash along Twin Beach including an old trampoline.