I just walked the trails on Mount Sequoyah’s eastern slope, as I’ve done for over 50 years. I never tire of our local beauty, our natural heritage. We are blessed mightily in that regard. May we protect and preserve it well.
I have noticed orange markers on trees. I’m sure these are for new trails, for better bike access. The city is reluctant to say so, but that’s what’s happening. More trails on the same amount of land; less habitat, less natural state. Recreation over conservation, preservation, creation. My voice promotes the latter, with low impact, less intrusion and more nature.
I am glad so many like to bike in the woods; they love nature as I do. I just want to preserve some lands for a slower, quiet reflection with an emphasis on conservation. That’s all.
The recent battle over connectivity of trails from Woodland Junior High to Mission Boulevard is also of interest to me. The easiest, clearest and cheapest way is to go up the small, intense hill at East Ash Street, then straight into Old Wire Road, where our newer trails already exist (this used to be on city maps).
For some reason, many are now determined to cross Sycamore, go across private property, into a small nature preserve (Brooks-Hummel), across the preserve, across other private property, ending on Lakeridge Drive, right next to a private lake. This “trail” is on city maps.
More problematic is connecting the trail to North Street and finally Mission. As anyone who has lived here knows, the intersection of North and Mission is not a quiet, or even safe, place. Cars rush down a steep hill trying to make the light. Cars rush up the steep hill trying to gain momentum. It is much busier than the Ash and Old Wire intersection (which is flat, less traveled, with new sidewalks/trails right across Old Wire).
At a city meeting we were told of all the ways trails were prioritized and weighted. A landowner asked if there were negative weights, for things like trails going through a small, nature preserve. Silence. I was surprised they had no negative weights or any idea that somehow some trails were not in the public’s or the natural world’s best interests. I found that telling.
Brooks-Hummel preserve is a beautiful, small hollow with a pond, a creek and two meadows. Access is not easy and never will be. Closing it at night will be necessary to protect neighborhood quality of life and general safety. Bike trails would exacerbate this issue.
First United Presbyterian Church allows citizens to use its parking lot and trails, which walk down to the city’s property. If late-night revelers start showing up, the church may well close access.
I noticed a small lot that used to have one house will now have four. This is called “in-fill.” Our population density rises but natural space and neighborhood parks do not. We are not good stewards if we neglect to protect, preserve and respect this natural wonder of the Ozarks.
Tx Trumbo
Fayetteville