The struggle that's taking place over the future
of Nashville's Bells Bend isn’t just some
other
neighborhood skirmish
between homeowners and big
developers who have another idea in
mind.
This one is very different and it is of crucial
interest to people across Davidson County and
throughout Middle Tennessee.
This isn't about one group keeping people out of our backyard. We want
Nashvillian's countywide to see and appreciate
what’s in their own
backyard –
before it's too late
and it's gone.
Like the far-sighted thinking in our own city that produced Shelby,
Centennial, Radnor Lake and Warner Parks, this last
remaining area of
working
farms, upland trails,
waterways, and wildlife in
Nashville's Bells
Bend
ought
to be saved – not only for the enjoyment of future generations,
but also for the well-rounded planning of a great
city.
In fact, there’s nothing else in Nashville like this: working farms
next to outdoor recreation opportunities (kayaking,
hiking, caving,
birding,
camping, biking), a network
of blueways, greenways,
and primitive
trails,
private
residences, archeological sites, and plenty of space for
"developments" that enhance and protect the natural
resources and tourist
opportunities.
We envision, for example, an agricultural center for producing local,
organic vegetables, fruits, dairy and meats for
Nashville's schools,
groceries
and restaurants;
community gardens; demonstration
farms for
school
children and
other visitors, and myriad other possibilities,
including a Musician’s Retreat Center such as
"Tanglewood", a Wellness
Retreat Center, an
Equestrian
Center and trails—the opportunities are
almost unlimited.
Make no mistake: The proposed May Development is well funded, well
staffed and well equipped. In fact, the May
developers have worked out a
broad and long-range
plan that
will impact our whole city -- on paper.
But, as a city, we should make
plans for
conservation in the same way we
plan for
development.
Those of us living in the Beaman Park to Bells Bend Corridor have been
doing just that. With our neighbors, we have been
working with the Metro
Planning Department on
planning for a future for this area that respects
this treasure that Nashville
has in its own
backyard.
It should be extremely desirable for Nashville, with all its other
amenities, to also have a rural preservation
district that serves as a
county, state and regional
planning model for open space conservation. A
model
conservation corridor
could help retain the heart of Nashville's
character, distinguishing us from other cities
rather than creating
another
bridge to "Anywhere
USA".
So many in our society today seem to feel there is never any middle
ground. But very often, there is common ground. The
future of Nashville’s
Bells
Bend isn’t about limited
options. It’s not about
choosing between
having a
conservation corridor and a massive billion-dollar
development.
It’s not the May Development versus
Nashville having
nowhere to grow. It’s
about finding a third way -
The Third Vision – before we lose forever the
largest remaining rural area
in Davidson County to
blind development.
We’re not against economic development. We just support sustainable
approaches to increasing jobs and the tax base.
Growth in Nashville’s
urban
core along with a
premier conservation district will
attract and
retain businesses
and tourists.
The people living in Nashville's Bells Bend area aren’t trying to stop
progress. We are eager to see more Nashvillians come
and see what is here.
That is
why we believe The
Third Vision for the Beaman Park
to Bells Bend
Corridor is such
a wonderful idea for all
Nashvillians, for the
entire
city to enjoy. And that
is why we believe this last remaining area of
farms,
forested hills, trails
and wildlife habitat in Davidson County
ought to be
saved.
While we know that we want the Beaman Park to Bells Bend Corridor to be
a model outdoor recreational, agricultural and
rural
residential
conservation
district for all
Nashvillians to enjoy, what does
that really
mean?
What would
it look like? How could you and your family enjoy it?
Below are links to
just a few ideas. The truth is - it could be
anything Nashville wanted it
to be - as long as we
have the determination
and the vision - The Third
Vision.
http://www.zengerfarm.org/
http://www.outstandinginthefield.com/
http://www.stonebarnscenter.org/
http://www.blackberryfarm.com/
http://www.adkresearch.org/adirondacks.html
http://www.shelburnefarms.org/
http://www.seedsavers.org/
http://www.culinarybandb.com/index.htm
http://www.hudsonrivervalley.com/index.cfm?section_id=6&page_id=169
http://www.stormking.org/
http://www.hiking.com/
http://www.saddleupnashville.org/
http://www.intervale.org/
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