Indian mound 'discovered' in Betton Hills
By Marvin Weinberger
SPECIAL TO THE DEMOCRAT
Thanks to donations and the work of many volunteers, a new and unique community park is nearing completion. The park - to be called the Betton Hills Nature Center - is being constructed on the site of a long-abandoned electrical substation.
What began as a modest undertaking - my tenants at Ashford Club wanted someplace to walk their dogs - really took off once I saw that others shared my passion for honoring the natural and historic heritage of this location.
Now, emerging as the centerpiece of the Nature Center is a large Indian Mound, which has been re-created to symbolize the ancient history of the site.
As first reported in the Democrat on July 15, 2006, the impetus for the new park began with my proposal to the city to create a Park2Park Trail linking McCord and Winthrop Parks. I was ready to donate land and money to help bring this plan to fruition.
On Sept. 13, skeptical city officials granted me the right to incorporate into the park the site of a utility substation that had lain abandoned behind barbed wire for more than 40 years.
Since then, my company has donated more than $150,000 to cover development expenses, but our efforts have been matched by in-kind contributions from other local businesses, including major support from Timberland Landscape Maintenance, Team Construction and Apogee Signs.
Individual volunteers have come from the Betton Hills Neighborhood Association as well as from Boy Scout Troop 105.
The Scouts, who have adopted the park as an ongoing service project, were out in force Saturday. The boys and their parents performed trail maintenance, constructed a wood pile and helped to assemble special benches and picnic tables made of recycled materials.
Over the course of their five previous visits, the members of Troop 105 have helped to build nearly a mile of trails and also conducted a biological audit of the future park.
Other features of the Betton Hills Nature Center include an amphitheater, stone fire-pit, picnic grove, step-dams and fencing. Numerous trails have been created along Turtle Creek and Raccoon Pond. A special pet-friendly drinking fountain has also been installed.
An overlook has been created along Hansen Ravine where it's possible to see down to the ancient bed of the Tallanhatchee Creek at the bottom of this deep gorge. The Ravine is named for Betton Hills Neighborhood Association volunteer Dean Hansen, who "discovered" this unusual natural feature.
Future plans call for creation of a covered bridge as well as a ceremonial hut and historical murals. Extensive interpretive signage also is envisioned and free wireless internet access. Long-term plans include revitalization of the mile of watercourse of the Tallanhatchee Creek, which once flowed year-round through the Betton Hills neighborhood.
City officials met with us on Monday to discuss plans for formal completion and dedication of the new park, which should be open to the public by year's end. The formal entrance to the park, as well as parking, will be along Post Road, located between Ashford Club Apartments and SunTrust Bank.
The Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting tax-deductible donations on behalf of the Nature Center through its Friends of the Parks Foundation. For more information, or to volunteer, contact Susan Tanski of the Parks Department at (850) 891-3919
