Jackson County in Missouri has cancelled its request for bids on public land along the Blue River Parkway after residents and conservation groups opposed the proposed sale. The decision was made on Monday, a day before the deadline for submitting bids.The county had invited proposals for land near Hillcrest Golf Course, raising concerns among people who regularly visit the area, Axios reported. The property has natural-surface trails used for hiking and mountain biking. Volunteers have also worked on building and maintaining these trails for several years.The proposed sale led to objections from local residents, outdoor enthusiasts and environmental organisations. They questioned why the county was considering selling land that was part of a larger protected parkway and used for recreational activities.County Executive Phil LeVota announced that the bidding process had been closed and that the county would not proceed with the proposed sale. The announcement also confirmed that no legislative action on the sale would be considered at the Jackson County Legislative meeting on November 9.
Why the county had sought bids
The proposal began after representatives of Hillcrest Country Club approached the county about using land along the Blue River to expand the golf course. The country club had been temporarily closed at the time.At an August 3 meeting of the County Legislature, LeVota said the request for bids followed the golf course’s interest in the property. The county then started a process to invite proposals from potential buyers.According to the county, the land was included in the surplus property process to understand whether there was interest from potential buyers and to explore possible future uses.A resolution supporting the bidding process stated that “the Administration can identify no current or future use for the property”. LeVota also said during the meeting that the land had been sitting empty for decades.However, the proposal drew objections from people who said the area was not unused. They pointed to the trails and other outdoor activities that regularly take place there.The property consisted of three existing parcels along the Blue River, south of Swope Park and east of Hillcrest Golf Course. It lies north of the Blue River Glades Natural Area, which is protected by the Missouri Department of Conservation. The land is also within the county-protected Blue River Parkway.
Residents, conservation groups oppose
The proposed sale brought objections from residents and several organisations, including Bridging the Gap, Heartland Conservation Alliance and Urban Trail Co.The organisations raised concerns about the future of the trails and natural areas. Urban Trail Co. maintains trails in the Blue River Glades area, where volunteers have helped develop routes for outdoor activities.The Blue River Parkway covers 2,267 acres and is the largest park managed by Jackson County. Its management is guided by the Blue River Parkway Master Plan, which was passed in 2022.According to Scott Capstack, a founding member of Heartland Outside, volunteers began building natural-surface trails in the area as early as 2000. An official trail partnership with Jackson County started in 2006.The work resulted in more than eight miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking. These routes are also promoted on the county’s website.Capstack said the trails attract visitors regularly. “That’s used, I would say, every day,” he said as quoted by Martic City Telegraph.Trail users argued that the land had recreational value and should not be treated as unused property. Their concerns also focused on the possibility that future development could affect access to the trails.
‘Protected areas were never meant to be sold’
While announcing the cancellation, LeVota said some natural features of the area were never part of the proposed sale.“We were never proposing to sell the glades, trails, or the areas we intended to preserve,” he said in the county’s November 9 announcement. “I want residents to understand that protecting those areas was always part of the plan,” he added.LeVota said the county had included the property in the surplus process to examine possible interest and future uses. He added that there was no reason to continue with the bidding process.The county also said some people had accessed the property without proper authorisation. According to its statement, people had been creating trails and cutting down trees without the owner’s consent.The county described this as a liability concern and said it could not be held responsible for changes made to the land without its approval.Ben Reed, who previously led Urban Trail Co., disputed the suggestion that the volunteers lacked permission to manage the trails. He told Axios that the organisation had an agreement signed with the county in 2018, allowing its volunteers to carry out land management work.
