A conceptual site plan was developed a couple of years ago for the nature preserve, on Lake Davidson.
A public site visit and planning workshop are scheduled Tuesday, Aug. 31, at 5:30 p.m., at the site of a planned town nature preserve off Jetton Street, behind Davidson Day School. Tuesday’s meeting is aimed at helping to identify trails and a kayak/canoe launch site on Lake Davidson.
The 8-acre nature preserve was first proposed to meet open space requirements years ago during planning for the so-called Northeast Quadrant, off I-77 Exit 30. Tuesday’s site visit comes as the result of a formal agreement between Davidson Day School, which owns the land, and the town, according to Parks & Recreation director Steve Fraher.
Planning also is beginning now because the Davidson Lands Conservancy has obtained a $14,000 grant to help pay for construction of a short trail and kayak and canoe launch in the park, according to DLC director Roy Alexander. That money comes from outdoors retailer REI.
The town already has a conceptual plan for the preserve, but locations of potential trails and other features are not fixed, Mr. Fraher said. Tuesday’s meeting is aimed at coming up with a final site plan, he said.
“We believe the grant funding will be enough to do the kayak put-in,” Mr. Fraher said. “We’re also going to flag a preliminary trail route. The flagging will be in place for future volunteer efforts, or additional grant funding, to construct the remainder of the trail.”
Mr. Alexander said the DLC has identified a potential site for the kayak/canoe launch. Once plans are final, he said, the organization will schedule a series of volunteer work days to finish the trail and launch. He said he hopes residents could beginning using the new launching site by year’s end.
WANT TO GO?
Town staff, members of town advisory boards and citizens are invited to help identify routes for walking trails and locations for other amenities. Anyone interested in attending is asked to meet near the rear entrance of the school, 750 Jetton St., at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Staff will briefly discuss the conditions of the access easement and opportunities to install site amenities. Following the update, staff and attendees will walk the site and discuss alternatives for trail and canoe launch placement.
More information is on the town website.
VIDEO
Watch a video interview with Roy Alexander of Davidson Lands Conservancy about the planned nature preserve. CLICK HERE>
Canoe and kayak access is a great starting point. At this juncture, however, there is no public access for boats of any types on trailers, and yes this would include non motorized boats such as sailboats. (Comment via Facebook)