Mayor Wamp announces no deed restriction exchange for Enterprise South, McDonald Farm

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF)- The proposal to conduct a land deed swap between two Hamilton County parks has been pulled.
Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp’s proposal was to open up over 500 acres at Enterprise South Nature Park to potential future development 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.

This included the formation of the Save Enterprise South Nature Park community group.

In a statement Tuesday, Mayor Wamp says:

“After completing due diligence related to Enterprise South Nature Park, last week the county decided not to pursue deed restriction changes to the previously identified 535 acres within the nature park. Throughout the public input process, we heard from citizens who value the nature park as well as the history
and legacy of McDonald Farm. In the months ahead, we will work with city and state officials to identify sites better suited for future job creation, while advancing a broader vision for McDonald Farm in the best interest of taxpayers. Given this decision, I encourage the recently formed nonprofit, Save Enterprise South Nature Park, to refund donations that were raised by overstating threats to the park. Save ESNP’s embrace of radical national environmentalist groups has undermined the credibility of what initially appeared to be a local grassroots effort.”

The proposal, which would have needed approval from the U.S. Department of Interior, was never formally introduced to either the Hamilton County Commission or the Chattanooga City Council.