Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent
The Clintonville Common Council on Tuesday accepted a donation of 17.2 acres from local resident Lynne Simpson, who wants the city to use the land to create a park or nature area.
Simpson stipulated in her gift that any plans to use the land at 150 13th St., which will be designated the Seven Maples Nature Area, for anything else would need her approval.
The city will be required to maintain any buildings and improvements located within the nature area in a neat and attractive condition.
Simpson also agreed to make a grant to the city so it could demolish a fire-damaged house on the property.
City Administrator Chuck Kell said the property is a great gift to the city. He said state Department of Natural Resources grants could be available to help develop approved uses for the property.
Some of the permitted uses outlined by the agreement include a nature preservation for fish, wildlife, or plants; a city, county or state park; fishing grounds or access; boating access; disc golf; hiking, biking, cross-county skiing; tent campground; picnic pavilion; playground equipment; farmers market; community garden; skate park; dog park; pavilions, restrooms, and other similar structures; environmental classroom for use by schools in the community, provided that all public and private schools in the community shall be provided comparable access.
The property cannot be used for hunting grounds, motorized recreational trails, RV or other modern-style campground; athletic fields or facilities; school, hospital or clinic; municipal office building or city hall; police or fire station; municipal water or waste treatment facility; fairgrounds; permanent structures related to a public farmers market or flea market; senior living or nursing home; golf course (excluding disc golf); commercial, industrial, residential or other development not related to preservation of green space; sales to private parties; or a radio or cellphone tower.