If any of you are from Matthews, you probably know about the controversial acquisition of the Purser farm land at 3024 Matthews-Mint Hill Road (Hwy 51). Well it is definitely going to be a park, "Hwy 51 Park", and the town of Matthews is hosting a (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links), on-site, to get input on what the public would like to see in the park.  The meeting is this Saturday 6/21 from 10:00 - 1:00.  This tract of land is a little over 92 acres.  I know that not a lot when it comes to building trails, but I could see there being the ability to put in like 3 - 5 miles, or maybe a pump track/flow trail.  Is this something that the THTB may be interested in?  I plan on going to the meeting for a little while, but can't commit to staying for the entire 3 hours.  It would be good if somebody of position could attend to at least make the suggestion.

Thanks,
--kit

Google arial photo shows that a large portion (30-40%) is open planting fields, probably very flat. That section certainly wouldn't be condusive to trails. The new Matthews Sportsplex has added lots of fields, so Mtthews should be willing to consider uses that have less impact. Woud be nice to get "trails" in their master plan as I don't think the Sportsplex left much room for any (though I haven't walked that site). Trails was the most requested park amenity by citizens when Meck P&R did their last 10 year plan! That matches surveys all over the country.

Didn't hear about the acquisition. What was the "controversy" about?

I live in the neighborhood directly adjacent to this parcel, Windrow Estates off of Idelwild and also Philips Rd.  The lake that you see on the NE side of his property is where our pool and clubhouse are.  We have horse trails (not used by horses anymore) that flank his land on the north and east sides.  This is what makes sort of a visible boundary on the back wooded side of the property. This horse trail/common property has a decent amount of up and down in that general area, and there is a creek that flows on to this parcel from our neighborhood.  And truthfully, how much elevation is there at Beatty?  It's all about how you use what you got.

If I could just get somebody to go with me, then we could at least represent and plant a bug in their ear.

The Cycle Path wrote on 06/19/14 at 1:47pm:

I agree with you on that, but there is one thing that is not mentioned in the article. Many years ago when Matthews annexed this area, they did not annex his property.  There was a circle around his property that was still just county property, there by keeping his taxes lower. So now we will have a park; do you think this has potential?

I attended the meeting Saturday morning, and it was very productive, once the bickering about how the land was acquired stopped.  They are very much in the planning phases.  They had topo maps of the property laid out with pens for everybody to write down what they would like to see and where.  It turns out that the parks manager for the city of Matthews is Mike King, who some of you may know from when he worked at Ultimate Bicycles.  They are very interested in having MTB/running/hiking trails in this park, and not pea gravel ones. I plan to meeting with Mike soon to walk the property to better understand what is doable.  I would love some assistance/guidance with this from some of you guys that really know what you are doing.  I have reached out to a few of you directly, and hope that we can get something moving with this.

Thanks,
--kit

Kit,

Give me a ring and I'll try make it to your walk around meeting.