Cutting down most of the trees around Wells Overlook Park and returning the area to natural prairie state may be a way to increase public use of the park, Douglas County commissioners will hear today.
Ken Lassman, a member of the family who donated the park land to the county in 1970, will present to commissioners at their 6:30 p.m. meeting a plan to replace large amounts of trees with prairie grasses in an effort to increase visibility and use of the park, which is near the intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and County Route 458.
"There is certainly a visibility problem with the park, and some problems have occurred because it is so secluded," Lassman said. "The reputation of the park has gone down over the years, and this may be a way to help build it back up."
Park use has declined the past few years, county officials have said. The park has suffered bouts of vandalism, and visitors frequently report finding litter that indicates sexual activity is occurring at the park.
Lassman said he was pushing for the revitalization plan, in part, because it would return the area to its more natural environment. Lassman said his family reports in the 1920s and 1930s there were virtually no trees on the hill and the area was dominated by prairie grasses.
He said he couldn't estimate how many trees would need to be cut for the project but said it would be the majority of them.
"When you start talking about cutting trees, I realize it can be a sensitive subject, but I think people understand this is a project to restore the area to its native condition rather than cutting native timber," Lassman said.
Federal grants may be available to restore the prairie, Lassman said, and the project likely would need community volunteers, which may help create a new sense of ownership for the park among county residents.
County commissioners said they wanted to discuss options.
"I'm open to any idea to reclaim our park," Commissioner Jere McElhaney said.
McElhaney has been one of the most vocal members on the commission about the decline in use at the park and the perceived rise in illegal activity there. He previously has suggested closing the park except for school tours and perhaps 15 to 20 days a year.
Lassman said his family would be disappointed to see the public's access to the park limited.
"If it is something people can be proud of, we want it to remain open," Lassman said.
Tonight's meeting is at the county courthouse, 11th and Massachusetts streets.
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