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Fairview commissioners consider botanical garden, land trust for outparcel
Summary
Vice Mayor McDonald asked staff to explore options for using the city's outparcel as a botanical garden or similar low-impact amenity; commissioners discussed using tree-bank funds, land-trust protections and trails but took no formal action.
The Fairview Board of Commissioners discussed potential community uses for an outparcel of city land at its Dec. 4 meeting, including a botanical garden and land-trust protections.
Vice Mayor McDonald reopened a prior presentation and suggested setting aside roughly 10 acres of the roughly 27–29-acre outparcel for a smaller-scale botanical garden with walking paths and limited parking, using tree-bank funds for landscaping. "You could make it a nice leisurely stroll ... a smaller version of Cheekwood," the vice mayor said, adding that work could be done in a way that would not be permanently expensive or require large structures.
Commissioners expressed support for the idea and also discussed placing the property into a land trust to preserve green space. Commissioner Roberts said a land trust would help ensure the ground remains parkland in perpetuity, and commissioners noted such a space could host education programs, summer camps and trail loops that complement existing park assets. No formal motion or expenditure was presented; staff were asked to research options and report back.
What happens next: staff will review tree-bank funding rules, feasibility and trust options and return with recommendations for potential pilot areas and estimated costs.
