Oak Ridge Today

Clark Center Park, Bull Bluff Road tree removal work was postponed this week

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Clark Center Park Picnic Area

A plan to temporarily close Clark Center Park and Bull Bluff Road in Oak Ridge on Monday, Nov. 30, and on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, for tree removal was postponed due to weather. (File photo)

 

A plan to temporarily close Clark Center Park and Bull Bluff Road in Oak Ridge on Monday, November 30, and on Tuesday, December 1, for tree removal was postponed due to weather, officials said.

The U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Office had identified the trees as potential safety hazards for travelers and visitors on the road and throughout Clark Center Park.

But the tree removal was delayed by rain.

“The temporary closure for the tree removal work will resume once the weather clears in the near future, and the public will be advised at that time,” a press release said.

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Tree removal to temporarily close Clark Center Park, Bull Bluff Road

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Clark Center Park Picnic Area

One of two large picnic areas at Clark Center Park. The park also includes a small playground, two ball fields, boat ramp, fishing trails, and beach. (File photo)

 

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office will temporarily close Clark Center Park and Bull Bluff Road in Oak Ridge from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both Monday, November 30, and again on Tuesday, December 1.

The temporary closure is due to tree removal that has been identified as potential safety hazards for travelers and visitors on the road and throughout Clark Center Park, which is in south Oak Ridge. Closure of the road during this work allow performance of the work in the most safe and efficient manner, a press release said.

The Oak Ridge Office roads and grounds contractor will allow any emergency vehicles access in the event of an emergency while the work is being performed. Normal opening of Bull Bluff Road and Clark Center Park will resume on December 2 at 5 a.m.

Planning for national park, Park Service tours Jackson Square, K-25, ORNL, Y-12

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Vic Knox of National Park Service

Vic Knox (Photo by D. Ray Smith)

Note: This story was last updated at 12:37 p.m.

Planning for the new Manhattan Project National Historical Park has started, and federal officials this week toured Jackson Square, the former K-25 site, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the Y-12 National Security Complex.

Stops included the Alexander Inn, Chapel on the Hill, the former K-25 Building site, the Graphite Reactor at ORNL, and two buildings at Y-12: Building 9731, a pilot plant, and Building 9204-3, also known as Beta 3.

“Several of those sites are just amazing,” said Vic Knox, associate director of park planning, facilities, and lands for the National Park Service in Washington, D.C. “They seem like they are just the way they were in 1943. It seems like they take you back in time.”

Oak Ridge was built as part of the Manhattan Project, a top-secret federal program to build the world’s fist atomic weapons during World War II. Besides Oak Ridge, the new national park includes Los Alamos, New Mexico, and Hanford, Washington. [Read more…]

DOE re-opening Clark Center Park after cleanup

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Clark Center Park Water View

A view of Melton Hill Lake near a boat ramp and between two picnic areas at Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge.

 

Federal officials have finished significant cleanup work at Clark Center Park after the winter weather a few weeks ago, and they are re-opening the park.

John Shewairy, assistant manager for administration in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office, said workers have roped off one area of the 80-acre park where a large tree fell. They won’t be able to clear that area until the ground dries up. [Read more…]

Clark Center Park temporarily closed as DOE assesses weather-related damage

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Clark Center Park Water View

A view of Melton Hill Lake near a boat ramp and between two picnic areas at Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge.

 

Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge is temporarily closed while federal officials assess any damage to trees caused by the recent ice and snow, and to give workers time to remove any potential risks, such as trees that are ready to fall.

The park, normally open all year, could be closed for another week or so, depending upon the weather, said John Shewairy, assistant manager for administration in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office.

“We have limited access to the park so we can assess and tend to any damage to trees caused by the ice and snow of the past couple weeks,” Shewairy said Monday. “Once we have taken care of any potential safety concerns, we’ll restore access to the property.” [Read more…]

Kick off new year with January Jaunt at Clark Center Park, Gallaher Bend Greenway

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Clark Center Park Picnic Area

One of two large picnic areas at Clark Center Park. The park also includes a small playground, two ball fields, boat ramp, fishing trails, and beach. (File photo)

 

The City of Oak Ridge Wellness Committee and Oak Ridge Coordinated School Health will kick off the new year with a January Jaunt at Gallaher Bend Greenway and Clark Center Park. The community is invited to take part, a press release said.

The January Jaunt is a beautiful hike and walk that will showcase the greenway and park, the press release said. It will start at 9 a.m. January 10.

“The Gallaher Bend Greenway offers a quiet, forested trail with lovely vistas of Melton Lake,” the release said. [Read more…]

2014 Election: Interest in mayor position, mall redevelopment, better ties with BOE

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Oak Ridge City Council Candidate Forum

Nine of the 10 Oak Ridge City Council candidates are pictured above. From right, they are Kelly Callison, Rick Chinn, incumbent Anne Garcia Garland, Warren Gooch, Gary Love, incumbent David Mosby, Pedro Otaduy, former Council member Ellen Smith, and Eric Tobler. Not pictured is Aditya “Doc” Savara.

 

A majority of the Oak Ridge City Council candidates said they would consider running for mayor or vice mayor if elected on Tuesday, and almost all supported the incentives recommended for the proposed redevelopers of the former Oak Ridge Mall.

The candidates were mixed on whether to bring back red-light cameras, and most seemed to think the city’s property tax rate is about right, in light of current budget needs.

Asked to grade the current Council as leaders, the candidates handed out grades ranging from “A” to “F.”

In a series of recent forums, the candidates generally advocated for better communication between the City Council and Oak Ridge Board of Education and, for the most part, seemed to be in favor of taking over Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge, although their approvals would hinge on factors such as cost and property restrictions.

There are 10 candidates running for four seats on the seven-member Council in Tuesday’s election. Two of the incumbents—Anne Garcia Garland and David Mosby—are seeking re-election—and two others—Mayor Tom Beehan and Mayor Pro Tem Jane Miller—are not.

Many consider it a critical election, with a business boom under way and major projects on the horizon, including the proposed redevelopment of the mall and the planned $6.5 billion Uranium Processing Facility at Y-12 National Security Complex.

The new Council is expected to elect a new mayor and mayor pro tem (like a vice mayor) during its next meeting after Tuesday’s election.

Here is a look at some of what the candidates said during the recent forums. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge has second Clark Center Park meeting on Monday

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Clark Center Park Water View

A view of Melton Hill Lake near a boat ramp and between two picnic areas at Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge.

The City of Oak Ridge is hosting a second public meeting to discuss the possible transfer of Clark Center Park from the U.S. Department of Energy to the City of Oak Ridge. The meeting will be held on Monday, October 27, at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building Courtroom, located at 200 South Tulane Avenue.

At the meeting, City Manager Mark Watson and staff will provide an overview of the Federal Lands to Parks Program as it relates to Clark Center Park and the federal acquisition process. The Department of Energy is undertaking an evaluation of their property on the Oak Ridge Reservation—where Clark Center Park is located—to identify parcels that may be excess to the agency’s mission.

“The Oak Ridge community has had Clark Center Park become an important asset of our city over the years,” said City Manager Mark Watson. “Our meeting is meant to explore the pros and cons of absorbing the park as part of our Oak Ridge park system. We welcome interested residents to share their thoughts with city officials.” [Read more…]

Save the Date: Second public meeting on Clark Center Park on Oct. 27

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Clark Center Park Water View

A view of Melton Hill Lake near a boat ramp and between two picnic areas at Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge.

 

The second public meeting on Clark Center Park will be held during the Oak Ridge City Council work session scheduled for Monday, October 27, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be at the Oak Ridge Municipal Building at 200 South Tulane Avenue.

The first meeting was in August. The 80-acre park could be transferred from the U.S. Department of Energy to the city.

The DOE’s Oak Ridge Office is in the process of reviewing the agency’s land holdings across the Oak Ridge Reservation, including Clark Center Park (formerly known as Carbide Park). [Read more…]

Guest column: City manager urges citizen engagement in key decisions

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Mark Watson

Mark Watson

Many projects are happening in Oak Ridge at the present time. Our city does not slow down and is affected by issues at the state, federal, and local levels.

As your city manager, I am concentrating on matters such as the implementation of EPA sewer requirements on a tight timeframe, creation of a national park, development of a new mall, and installation of a new dispatch center.

Among its many other decisions, Oak Ridge will be facing a pair of major initiatives which particularly important for our community. The American Museum of Science and Energy (AMSE), owned by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and managed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory contractor UT-Battelle, is under new leadership as veteran museum director David Moore takes the helm. With this change, the DOE knows that the long-term viability of a museum is dependent upon local and regional involvement.

Recently, the AMSE Foundation and the City of Oak Ridge have been co-hosting a series of community meetings about AMSE to discuss options for developing a new operating model for the museum. Two of four public discussions have been held about this topic.

Last week, we heard from the directors of the MUSE in Knoxville, the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, and the new Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol to hear how today’s museums remain current and relevant to their visitors. Turnout for the first two meetings has been very encouraging; the next public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 25, from 6-8 p.m., when heritage tourism will be discussed. [Read more…]

City Council hosts Aug. 25 public meeting on Clark Center Park

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Clark Center Park Picnic Area

One of two large picnic areas at Clark Center Park. The park also includes a small playground, two ball fields, boat ramp, fishing trails, and beach.

 

The Oak Ridge City Council will have a public meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, August 25, to collect community input regarding the possible transfer of Clark Center Park from the U.S. Department of Energy to the city. The meeting will be held in the Municipal Building Courtroom, and it will be in lieu of the regularly scheduled monthly work session.

The DOE’s Oak Ridge Office is in the process of reviewing the agency’s land holdings across the Oak Ridge Reservation. The reservation is located within the city limits of Oak Ridge, and it includes Clark Center Park.

Clark Center Park (formerly known as Carbide Park) is an 80-acre parcel under consideration by DOE for possible transfer from federal ownership. The park area includes a swimming area along Melton Hill Lake, and incorporates two picnic areas, a playground, restrooms, a boat ramp, two ball fields, and also provides access to the Gallaher Bend Greenway. DOE spends about $300,000 per year to maintain the park.

In an August 4 letter to the city, DOE Oak Ridge Office Manager Larry Kelly said, “Given the park’s benefit to the citizens of Oak Ridge, the option we currently favor would be to transfer ownership to the city at no cost, provided that the property remains a recreational park asset for the public.” [Read more…]

Council considers Clark Center Park, ORHS stoplight, Woodland development

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Clark Center Park Water View

A view of Melton Hill Lake near a boat ramp and between two picnic areas at Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge.

The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday night will consider the start of negotiations over the future of Clark Center Park, a new stoplight on Oak Ridge Turnpike in front of the high school, and changes, including rezonings, that could allow a small commercial development near Aldi grocery on South Illinois Avenue.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Monday, August 11, in the Oak Ridge Municipal Building Courtroom. See the agenda here.

A resolution to be considered tonight would allow Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson to discuss the future of Clark Center Park with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office. DOE-ORO  has said it wants to transfer the park to the city at no cost as long as it remains a recreational park asset for the public.

The Oak Ridge Office now spends about $300,000 per year to maintain the park. One of the questions for city officials is whether Oak Ridge can afford to take over the 80-acre park, which is in south Oak Ridge on Melton Hill Lake. Also known as Carbide Park, it includes two ball fields, two large picnic areas, a small playground, a boat ramp, restrooms, fishing trails, and a beach. It also includes access to the Gallaher Bend Greenway. [Read more…]