The Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Commission may be pursuing the purchase of Green Berry Acres, but another group also is interested.
Last week, several residents of Green Berry Road told commissioners and staff the property had been put up for sale and they would like to see the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department purchase the land to turn into a neighborhood park.
Green Berry Acres, a Girl Scout property on Green Berry Road, is roughly 4.3 acres and includes a log cabin, a picnic shelter, outdoor grills and a fire circle on roughly four acres. The property has been used for hiking, nature activities and service projects.
At a special commission meeting Tuesday, department director Bill Lockwood said two other offers have been placed on the property, one of which remains private. He said the Girl Scouts have set noon Thursday as the deadline for proposals.
The one offer that is not private comes from the Kids in Montessori, or KIM, School. Ronda Schaefer, director of the KIM School, said the school is looking to use the cabin on the property for elementary programs, as the school offers programs for children ages 3 to 6.
"We need a place to expand," Schaefer said.
Schaefer said if the land was acquired by the school, they would need to initially update the cabin for elementary use, but would not plan any new structures.
Lockwood said he had met with Schaefer to discuss the possibility of a partnership on the property, something Schaefer indicated interest in. But the school would need use of the property exclusively during school hours in the academic year. The school would not need the property in summers.
Several people who live near Green Berry Acres also attended the meeting to encourage the commission to purchase the property.
Kay Toft said the issue really came down to whether this property went to a public or private group. With a public group, she said, residents can continue to use the property and its trails, as well as embrace the history of the area.
"I feel very strongly about this. The history that is there can only enhance Jeff City," Toft said. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity."
Vicki Schildmeyer, representing the Historic City of Jefferson, said the group would like to see the property preserved as a park, noting Confederate troops once camped in the area during the Civil War. She said the Historic City of Jefferson supports Parks purchasing and owning Green Berry Acres.
The commission also received a petition signed by 28 nearby residents stating their support for Parks purchasing and maintaining the property.
Lockwood said the property would require little work to be used as a location for summer camp programs, which Commissioner Michael Couty noted has a waiting list of about 200 children.
"That should be the priority for this property," Couty said.
Lockwood said even if the commission successfully purchased the property, it would not be available for programming this summer. Summer camps there could be considered for the following year.
"I'm not envisioning having to do much, if anything," Lockwood said of the property.
Commissioners had some discussion before going into closed session for real estate under the Missouri Sunshine Law.
After the closed session, Lockwood confirmed a vote was taken, but he specified it was a vote that does not become public until the action is complete.