Board reaffirms commitment to Jake's Woods preservation, directs county administrator to deliver timeline after survey

Jones County commissioners on May 6 reaffirmed their commitment to preserve Jake's Woods, the historic property recently acquired with help from a conservation fund, and directed county staff to return with a proposed timeline and milestones for interpretation, trail work, and public access after the land survey is completed.

Representatives of the Oakland Historical Society (OCHS) described the property's historical significance and said the family executor, Florence Walker, had supported conservation and the eventual county purchase. OCHS credited a regional conservation fund and county participation for enabling the acquisition and emphasized community interest in sensitive, historically informed access to the site.

County staff reported the property has been surveyed and that survey data would allow staff and engineers to sequence trail design and targeted repairs. Commissioners discussed volunteer involvement, the potential for skilled trail-builder volunteers familiar with rocky, uneven terrain, and using county equipment and crews for early clearing if that could be done without disturbing archaeological or historic features.

Commissioner motion language reaffirmed the board's commitment and directed Chairman Weidner to ask the county administrator to produce a schedule with milestones as soon as the survey is received. The motion passed.

Ending: Staff will return at the next meeting with a schedule and milestones; the board and partners indicated interest in using volunteers for some trail work and in coordinating with the conservation fund and family representatives on interpretation plans.