The Chehalis City Council is considering putting one of its unused parks up for sale, but first it wants to hear what the public has to say about it.
Following an executive session Monday night, councilors directed City Manager Dave Campbell to set a public hearing regarding a proposal to declare surplus 4.5 acres of city property. That hearing will follow the next regularly scheduled council meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. Oct. 10.
The site in question, located between Southeast Crestview Drive and Prospect Street in eastern Chehalis, has been known as Scenery Park and more recently as Duffy Park. It was purchased by the city from the county in 1902 for $1 "and other considerations," a release from the city Thursday noted.
Though not listed or described in Chehalis' 1986 comprehensive park and recreation plan, the land was considered an unimproved park as recently as 12 years ago. The site was logged in 1993, and the profit of the sale assisted with the development of Penny Playground at Recreation Park, as well as for other parks and recreation projects.
It was then replanted by local Boy Scouts with a learning forest, which was meant to be used by schools and organizations to show how forests work. But that never really happened, said Chehalis property manager Andy Sennes.
"The learning forest that was replanted has not had any maintenance," Sennes said. "The intent was not to do maintenance, but we have not been able to get any groups together to go out there."
Sennes said city crews visit the site about twice a year for some general maintenance, so the property isn't much of a maintenance burden. If they kept it up to the same maintenance standards as other city parks, however, it would be. Much of the monitoring and work done there today is actually by neighbors of the site.
"It isn't a big issue for us because we haven't done anything up there," Sennes said.
A recent appraisal listed the land's value at about $120,000. It is zoned RI, low-density residential, and there are no legal implications that would prohibit Chehalis from selling it if it is declared surplus, the release noted. It also stated there is no particular proposed use of the site at this time.
Carrina Stanton covers municipal government and health for The Chronicle. She may be reached at 807-8241, or by e-mail at cstanton@chronline.com.
Public hearing
When: After 6 p.m. Oct. 10 city council meeting
Where: Chehalis City Hall council chambers
