During the public comment period, multiple speakers urged the Hamilton County Commission to halt work on a proposed Hilltop Drive extension that would cross Enterprise South Nature Park and to preserve deed-based protections established when the land was transferred under the National Park Service Lands to Parks program.

A cofounder of Enterprise South Nature Park, who identified themself as working in land stewardship, said deed restrictions exist "to protect the land forever" and argued that removing permanent protections to allow road or industrial development would set an alarming legal precedent. "Not a single acre at ESNP should be used outside of its intended use as recreation or conservation in perpetuity," the speaker said.

Kelly Sullivan, who provided an address, asked the commission to temporarily halt the road-extension design work and to be transparent about whether commissioners knew design work would cross park land when the commission previously approved design funding. Sullivan cited a prior Aug. 6 resolution (referenced in public comment) that authorized over $1.5 million for design of an extension and asked for a reconsideration vote if necessary.

Ellen Abig asked whether public studies exist assessing how the road extension would affect the park’s natural landscape, ecosystem and aesthetics and requested access to any studies. The commission did not provide an extended response during the public-comment period but Chair Smith directed attendees to follow up with their commissioner for documents and information.

Speakers requested additional public notice and a formal review before any deed protections are removed or design work proceeds in ways that would reduce permanently protected acreage.