Cottonwood Shores gives up rarely used city properties
The wooden structure at CastleRock Park in Cottonwood Shores was razed by city personnel at the end of September. Built to be a playground, one resident called the rarely-used structure “the Bridge to Nowhere.” The park was returned to its owners at the Oct. 2 council meeting.
By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula
Cottonwood Shores is known for its relatively large number of parks for a small city, and its motto proudly states “People, Parks and Prosperity.” The city council decided Tuesday, Oct. 2, to return two of its rarely-used parks back to the owners who had donated the land in 2009.
The move came after approval by the city lawyer, who said it was legal to return CastleRock and Patschke Springs parks despite the word “perpetuity” in the original resolutions, said Sheila Moore, city secretary and administrator.
Because one owner wants his donated land back and the other does not, Mayor Pro Tem Stephen Sherry’s motion stated explicitly that it is at the owner’s discretion whether to accept the land.
Councilman Marley Porter, who is part owner of the land on which CastleRock Park sat, abstained from the vote that was passed unanimously by remaining council members. (Councilwoman Cheri Trinidad was absent.)
Keith Patschke, a real estate developer and former council member, owned Patschke Springs, parkland that was officially recognized in 2009 as a park as part of Resolution 619.
CastleRock Park has been closed for safety reasons, surrounded by caution tape, and was finally razed by city personnel at the end of September. The city is storing the usable lumber for recycling, Moore said.
A Texas Parks & Wildlife Department park grants manager, Dana Lagarde, suggested in an August meeting with city officials that the city retake control over the land, which was developed into parkland with a TPWD community park grant.
For the full story, see Tuesday's Highlander.
