New Hanover County Commissioners hear from public regarding Smith Creek Park Preserve, watch presentation on Independence Blvd land use
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The environment was a major topic of discussion during the New Hanover County Commissioners meeting on Monday.
During the public comment section of the meeting, several people spoke about Smith Creek Park Preserve.
Construction has begun on new paved trails, a new parking lot, and other facilities at the park, which is an 82-acre tract of land located south of Smith Creek Park Preserve.
Stephen Axthelm organized an online petition.
So far, it’s garnered more than 2,200 signatures from people who are against the work being done.
County commissioner Stephanie Walker said the work will only affect a small part of the park’s overall area, but Axthelm said the county’s own data suggests people didn’t want this work to be done.
“Of those people, only 28 thought the picnic shelter was a good idea, 20 thought that more parking was needed and 18 wanted paved trails,” Axthelm said. “And based on this data, they’re saying that that’s what the people want. It’s clearly what the people don’t want. they’re moving ahead, saying that this is what people want and they do not have the evidence to prove that.”
“It’s not paving the whole parking lot,” Walker said. “There’s, I think there’s over 80 acres there, I think over 75 percent, 75 acres are going to be preserved so this just makes it more accessible to other folks.”
Construction is expected to take between 9 months and 1 year.
The push to save green space in the county continued during the meeting as UNCW environmental science and geology professor Roger Shew gave a presentation to commissioners about preserving a 60-acre parcel of land located along Independence Boulevard.
Last year, a developer submitted a proposal to purchase the land to build 512 apartments, 45 townhomes, and 25 single-family homes.
Last November, the developer withdrew their proposal.
During Monday’s presentation, Shew suggested using the land for educational purposes.
Sharon Valentine lives near the area and said the land was deeded to the county by the original owner, Flossie Bryan.
“Flossie Bryan left a legacy to the community,” Valentine said. “She wanted that to be a community park or farm. And now, if we do, if we can accomplish this, this is a legacy that we can leave future generations.”
Since a portion of the land is not owned by the county, Valentine said the city and county will have to agree to buy it, which would cost around $3 million.
