Nicky Boyette – Director Justin Huss told Parks’ commissioners June 21 he has had visitors drive vehicles down a narrow pathway to a clearing by Lake Leatherwood City Park that has a picnic table. The area is referred to as the Point, and it is not set up as a camp, yet there has been camping there. He cited a litany of safety issues with vehicles traversing the pathway including damage to the park, danger of flat tires and inability of a tow truck to rescue vehicles. So he blocked the pathway to vehicles.
Huss also mentioned that cleanup by Parks staff “is above and beyond” because there are no sanitation facilities at the site. He suggested if the site were to be used for camping, it would need at a minimum a composting toilet that would sit near the lake and cost at least $1000.
Huss said if they were to go to the expense of providing a composting toilet and regular maintenance, it would take years of camping fees to recoup the investment. He acknowledged it is a beautiful spot – remote, by the lake, away from other campers and activities – but added, “From a management side, my people are carrying buckets.”
Commissioner Steven Foster moved to make the Point area a day use area only, effective immediately until Parks decides to develop it as a campsite, with no vehicle traffic allowed there except Parks vehicles in an emergency. Vote was unanimous to approve the motion.
Foster added that Parks needs to develop policies relative to biological and environmental issues in the park. He gave as an example that he recently encountered a hiker carrying a bouquet of rare delphiniums she had picked, and by the time she walked back to the parking lot, the flowers had wilted and she just threw them on the ground.
Huss wondered if the park could be designated a nature preserve. Chair Bill Featherstone followed that at least they need signage to educate the public, and agreed with Foster that Parks needs a policy they can communicate to visitors.