McMinnville officials are considering connecting Sallys Alley to Rocket Park by means of a new walking trail beside the Barren Fork River. Negotiations are under way between property owners and the city.
“A meeting was scheduled with property owners to discuss access to property for use as a greenway or a hiking trail,” said Mayor Jimmy Haley to Parks and Recreation Committee members.
Haley says the heirs of Paul Barnes, those being Barry Barnes and Paul Michael Barnes, seem amenable to the idea with some concessions by the city.
“They would like naming rights to that section of the greenway area,” Haley said. “The Barnes family wants to approve any sign that might be used there. They would really like the area to be designated as a bird or animal sanctuary.”
The Barnes family would also like the city to consider giving them:
• The right to approve, change or review improvements to the area and to sign off on said plans.
• The right to offer suggestions on improvements.
• The right to be able to approve or reject any boat or river access from the property.
• Complete liability protection from lawsuits.
• Signage along the river identifying wildlife in area.
• Consideration for the city purchasing the entire seven-acre tract.
“They also questioned the possibility of waiving the property tax by the city and the county,” said Haley. “I told them I could not speak for the county and that I could not make any promises for the city, but that I would relay the request to the city administrator and the city’s legal counsel for their opinion.”
City attorney Tim Pirtle says most of the requests will be simple to address in an easement agreement, except taxes.
“You cannot remove the property taxes,” said Pirtle. “You could reduce the tax on the portion on which the city has an easement. It would not be a significant amount.”
City administrator David Rutherford warned the legal costs associated with lowering the property taxes would far exceed what would be gained.
“The legal expense to the city of doing that would be far more than the benefit,” Rutherford said.
Liability for the property owners will come from the state. A recreational use statute protects landowners who open their land to the public for purposes of recreation.
Vice Mayor Ben Newman says he knows the Barnes family and he believes the city will be able to work with them.
“It seems like a lot of these requests are fine,” he said. “I know the Barnes family. They have good judgment. If they want input on signs and things like that, I don’t think they would request anything inappropriate.”
Parking for the walking trail would be at Sallys Alley or Rocket Park. The walkway would be a dirt path, with consideration given to gravel in the future.
Committee members voted to allow Haley to continue negotiations.
City discussing new walking trail
