Friends of Rotary Park: December 2005

Friends of Rotary Park

This is a service provided to the users of Rotary Park in Clarksville, Montgomery County, Tennessee. It is hosted by Friends of Rotary Park, a newly formed volunteer group that is dilligently working to improve the trail network at the park. This site provides information about current, past, and future trail development.

About Me

Rotary Park is a county-owned natural park in Clarksville, Montgomery County, Tennessee. It consists of two adjoining tracts of land that make up about 95 acres of mostly undeveloped, wooded land. There is one park entrance/exit that is paved and runs to the back of the park. There are three pavilions along the roadway with the largest being at the road's end. Rotary Park has an extensive trail network and is open to hikers and bikers. The new push for extensive trail work is necessary because most trails were improperly built by ATVs and motorcycles. Motorized vehicles are now banned from the park. Furthermore, the trails are showing signs of serious erosion. Most recently, a large amount of sustainable trail located outside of the park's boundary has been taken by development. The Friends of Rotary Park is dedicated to restoring and improving the park. Those interested in joining Friends of Rotary Park can do so by contacting Chris Clark at 931-801-3898. Dues are $25.00 for a family membership.

Thursday, December 22, 2005

December 8th Meeting with County

On December 8th, Friends of Rotary Park met with the Montgomery County Conservation Board. We discussed the clean-up process and time table for Rotary Park. Mayor Weiland said that he had received a lot of calls about the park and wanted it cleaned up as soon as possible. The Department of Safety has taken over the clean up for the county as Stacy Goodwin with Parks and Recreation is on maternity leave. Gary Hamm, the head for the Department of Safety, wants the State Forester to come evaluate the park and lay out new trails before the trails are reopened. Friends of Rotary Park expressed concern about someone else creating the trails as we have already mapped out the new trail network in accordance with the I.M.B.A. standards.

A plan seems to be in place but I could not get anyone to commit to a time table. Park clean up is now in the hands of the Montgomery County Department of Safety who, at this time, shows no interest in clearing the interior trail network without the advise of the State Forester. I could not get an answer on when the State Forester would be in the park.