An ad hoc committee composed of many residents of the Branchwood area as well as other POA members questioned Board Members John Nuttall and Charlie Teal about a proposal to turn the closed nine-hole Branchwood Golf Course into a multi-purpose park.
The committee met last Thursday at the Highland's Clubhouse.
The proposal was put together by Nuttall who told the committee that he took the most desired amenities listed by members who were surveyed in 2012 as part of a professional amenities survey. He walked the golf course and made his own determination of how those amenities could be placed.
Nuttall's vision includes an exercise trail with several small pavilions to house exercise stations; a community garden where any Bella Vista resident could use a space for gardening; a large picnic pavilion; a botanical garden with seating; an archery range and a natural playground area for children.
Most of the amenities would be located near Glasgow Road on what was the first and ninth holes of the course, as well as the practice green and the eighth green. The trail would include switchbacks to make the steep grades ADA compliant and the pond would be filled in.
Members of the ad hoc committee wanted to know if there could be a mini-golf course or a putting green in the park, and Teal agreed to add the suggestion to the proposal.
The committee also asked if the cart path could be cleaned up right away for walkers. It's been closed since August 2013 when it was damaged by flooding.
Nuttall said the board could vote to use some of the funds set aside for work at Branchwood on the cart path, but he wasn't sure it was a good idea. Working on the path before the final plan is approved, could be wasteful since the trail might have to be relocated.
The next step, Teal and Nuttall agreed, is to hire an engineer to study the area and recommend how new amenities can be placed.
The city will require a certified engineer to approve the plan so using volunteers might not be practical, Teal said. The board can also consider a temporary trail while they wait for a new plan from a professional.
General News on 01/28/2015