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Resident urges city to pursue access for Ramalike Off Road Park; owner may agree if city endorses plan
Summary
A lifelong resident asked the council to help reopen the Ramalike Off Road Park, saying the privately owned site was historically available for recreation and the property owner’s agent indicated willingness to cooperate if city officials endorse a group.
Aaron Rawls, a resident of more than 60 years, told the council on Aug. 13 that the Ramalike Off Road Park on South Main near Highway 41 was formerly open to riders and that the city’s continued lack of cooperation has kept the gate locked despite existing parking and a fence. “It was my playground when I was a kid,” Rawls said, and he urged the council to engage with the property owner and the agent, whom he said told him that “if the city officials give it a kiss and a blessing, they will go along with whatever group wants to do something there.”
Rawls said he had provided the council with a three-page history of the site and asked the council to support opening the park “for anything,” including mountain biking or other uses. He acknowledged uncertainty about ownership and said he had contacted the company that owns the land and their agent. A city staff member reminded Rawls that the public-comment time limit had elapsed, and Rawls accepted the time constraint and said he would return if needed.
There was no substantive council discussion or staff response during the public-comments segment beyond acknowledgement and thanks. The matter was not on the agenda and no formal direction was made during the meeting.
