Important information from our birder friends at Warner Parks….

Dear NTOS member…

I am reaching out to you regarding a significant development that could profoundly and negatively impact the ecosystems, and native plants and animals of Warner Parks. A proposal in the Belle Meade Highlands Design and Mobility Implementation Plan currently under consideration, would ultimately result in the construction of a road corridor extending from Highway 100 to the Cheekwood entrance and the Percy Warner Golf Course parking lot. This plan was initially and primarily created to address parking and access solutions for Cheekwood. While several options were proposed for an access road from Highway 100 to Cheekwood, the Planning Commission amended the proposal in January to focus their attention on one solution: creating a new paved road. I strongly believe this new road would negatively impact Percy Warner Park.

The proposed road is being framed as a “shared access” road for Park users and Cheekwood visitors to justify creating a new paved road on protected, public land. This proposal includes an additional entrance with more parking for Cheekwood; however, it would require clearing protected forest and fragment a currently undisturbed section of the park. Decades of research have shown fragmenting forested area with roads is detrimental to the ecosystem health by allowing an avenue for non-native, invasive species to take hold, increased predation on forest birds, increased noise pollution, direct fatalities, and a literal roadblock for native amphibians and reptiles such as salamanders where the road acts as a physical barrier to their natural movements.

At the Metro Parks Board meeting on February 4th, the Planning Commission will present this proposal to the Park Board and ask them to consider if Warner Parks could benefit from a road through the Park to Cheekwood. I believe your voice as a stakeholder is critical in addressing this issue. Warner Parks does not need another access route, especially at the cost of destroying irreplaceable natural habitats and recreational resources. The proposed road would not only harm the forest ecosystem but also jeopardize the integrity of the mountain bike trail network that countless visitors cherish and would set a terrible precedent for private entities to be allowed to consume public land for financial gain.

Here are ways you can take action:

Attend the Parks Board Meeting on February 4th:
1. Meeting details: 12 PM at the Parks Headquarters (2565 Park Plaza, Nashville, TN 37203)
2. Prepare to share your concerns about how the proposed road would negatively affect the diverse natural habitats of the park and wildlife that depend on those habitats.
Express Your Concerns to Park Board Members:
1. Contact individual board members directly to ensure they understand the far-reaching consequences of this proposal (contact information below)
2. Emphasize the importance of preserving the unique recreational opportunities and ecological value of Percy Warner Park.
Spread Awareness Among Your Network:
1. Share this information with fellow conservationists and supporters of your organization. Encourage them to attend the meeting or contact the board members.