MORGANTOWN — As the old saying goes, sometimes you can’t tell the forest for the trees.
In the case of the Haymaker Forest — the 40-acre property that’s been at the heart of an ongoing back-and-forth ever since the city announced a plan to buy the property for $5.2 million — you can see both the forest and the trees if you’re willing to lace up your hiking boots.
Deputy Mayor Mark Brazaitis said June 14 that he’s led between 40-50 people on guided walking tours of the property with the owner’s permission since it’s become a topic of discussion.
Haymaker Forest is situated along the municipal boundary, partially located in the city’s 2nd Ward, but mostly falling in the county. It borders the city’s 1st and 6th wards — largely between Courtney Avenue and Southpointe Circle on one side, Dorsey Avenue and Rosemary Drive on the other and East Oak Grove Cemetery to the south.
Brazaitis, the 6th Ward councilor and a Courtney Avenue resident, has been a vocal proponent of making the forest a key part of an urban green belt since before his days on council.
He explained that he’s giving a tour today June 15 at 6 p.m., rain or shine. Anyone interested should meet at the Circle K on Dorsey Avenue with long pants, walking boots or shoes and water. He cautions participants should be in good physical condition.
Council voted 6-1 on June 5 to approve the purchase on first reading. It will be up for public hearing and potential adoption during council’s June 19 session.
Opponents of the move have pointed to the fact that the city does not actually know how much the property is worth — outside of the county assessor’s $1,288,300 appraisal. A current appraisal is expected prior to the June 19 vote. Further, the city doesn’t know where all the money will come from, particularly if voters are not interested in supporting this purchase and others through a dedicated levy.
City administration has said these lingering questions are largely due to time constraints implemented by the seller, ALP Inc.
Despite the financial questions, Brazaitis said Thursday June 15 that he doesn’t understand how someone can purport to be in favor of greenspace, but speak against bringing the Haymaker Forest into the city.
“Greenspace is not an abstraction. It’s a reality. We’re standing in that reality. So to say you’re for greenspace, but … is to really say you’re not really for greenspace, because it’s a tree-by-tree, acre-by-acre push to get that land and hold onto it,” Brazaitis said. “It’s always going to be messy when it’s a particularly desirable space within a strong community. That is what we’re up against now.”
Brazaitis can be contacted regarding tours through his city council Facebook page.
