Clay County staff map county-owned conservation lands, say management RFP coming

Clay County staff and committee members reviewed an inventory of county-owned land on Wednesday and described plans to issue a request for proposals to establish long-term management for several larger properties.

The review, presented by Caleb Reisinger, the county’s real estate manager, showed “in total, the county is over 400 parcels,” with most small rights-of-way but several larger parcels suited to conservation or recreation, Reisinger said. He identified major holdings including a roughly 640-acre Veterans Park, a 259-acre Moccasin Slough parcel, a 251-acre regional sports complex, a 158-acre Outdoor Adventure Park and a roughly 487-acre Black Creek Park and Trail system.

The inventory matters because the county’s recently approved bond program directs officials to acquire and manage lands that protect water quality, conserve wildlife habitat and provide outdoor recreation. Committee members and staff said the map establishes what the county already owns and where management attention or new…