NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Area residents have started an online petition in an effort to save a stretch of park land in Belle Meade.
Last month the Metro Nashville Planning commission approved the “Belle Meade Highlands Mobility Study.” The study aims to alleviate growth limitations, largely due to Cheekwood’s popularity over the last decade.
One proposal in the study includes building a road branching from Highway 100 that would run through the Percy Warner mountain biking trails.
Concerned neighbors have now begun an online petition aimed at saving the biking trails from being destroyed in favor of a road.
According to the petition, the trails are frequently used by riders for personal enjoyment and team riding. Further, the petition states, the trails are the only ones in the Nashville area, with the next closest trails in Bell’s Bend 30 minutes away.
“A road going through these trails would effect the safety of riders, safety of wildlife, and overall serenity of the park,” the petition states.
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With Nashville urbanizing rapidly, petition organizers hope to keep the “beloved” trails intact and keep them from falling into the “hands of cement and trucks.”
The petition has more than 1,700 signatures as of publication.
Cheekwood brings in around 400,000 visitors per year, but parking options at the botanical gardens is extremely limited—they have one official parking lot with 86 total spots. Once that lot fills, overflow parking is located on Metro Parks land, which is where area residents see most issues.
Cheekwood has told News 2 they try their best to be more accommodating to visitors and residents, including moving to timed ticketing to allow for easier traffic flow. Representatives for Cheekwood also said they have looked into the possibility of building an underground parking garage.
Cheekwood President & CEO Jane McCleod previously issued a statement saying in part, “Parking is an existential issue for Cheekwood and programs like Holiday Lights, as well as our cultural and educational programming.”
