Conservation group celebrates decision to pull proposed Enterprise South, McDonald Farm land deed restriction swap

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- The proposal to conduct a land deed swap between two Hamilton County parks has been pulled.

It caused a lot of controversy in our community, with over 12,000 signing a petition against that plan.

Members of the community say that they are very happy with the decision of Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp to not open up over 500 acres of land at Enterprise South Nature Park for potential future development.

This was in order to preserve over 1,300 acres at McDonald Farm.

This proposal, which was leaked early by the Chattanooga Times Free Press, was met with significant community opposition.

Those who use the Atlas Trail at Enterprise South Nature Park say they are happy to see it stick around.

David Grabiner, who says he uses the trails at the park frequently, said, “I use that outside trail that’s outside the fence a lot. It’s a great mountain bike and running trail and I would’ve been really sad to see that go.”

Mayor Wamp in his statement Tuesday morning said that he came to this decision following the review of citizen feedback.

He says that he plans to identify better sites for job creation, and for preserving McDonald Farm.

Representative Greg Vital believes the county can preserve both properties.

Rep. Vital said, “Let’s remember that county already owns McDonald Farm. So it’s I think it would behoove the mayor to come up with a bold plan. He says he wants to protect McDonald Farm, so come up with a plan to protect it and I think the public will support him for that.”

Meanwhile, the group of citizens who founded Save Enterprise South Nature Park say that this moment is the culmination of months of work.

Co-founder Elspeth Haire said, “The reaction and having this massive response to the proposal is, it’s not something I’ve come across before and it’s been extraordinary.”

However, they say their work of conservancy is not over.

Melissa Ray, another co-founder of the group, said, “A part of me wants to celebrate and a part of me is really cautiously optimistic. There’s still some unanswered questions. There’s still the Hilltop Drive extension. There’s still the matter of preserving the old Summit cemetery. There’s still a lot of work to do.”

They also say that attempts to politicize their efforts, as Mayor Wamp criticized their alliance with he called quote, “radical national environmental groups” will not deter them.

Ray said, “This is not a political issue. This is not a partisan issue. This is a huge group of people of community members who care about their park and care about their green spaces.”

They say for the meantime, they will continue to enjoy Enterprise South.

Haire said, “You know when you see injustice and when you see that things are happening and you step in, you may be right if it may turn into a lifelong passion.”

This plan was never formally proposed the Hamilton County Commission or the Chattanooga City Council.

It would have needed to be approved by the US Department of Interior if it had been approved by our local government bodies.