1 of 9
Jesse Chambers
south crestwood parcel
The entrance to an undeveloped 6.5-acre parcel of land at 12th Ave. South and 50th Street in South Crestwood.
2 of 9
Jesse Chambers
South Crestwood parcel
A creek in an undeveloped parcel in South Crestwood. The parcel was to be the site of a housing development that was turned down by the city planning commission in late February 2017.
3 of 9
Jesse Chambers
South Crestwood parcel_3
Another view of a creek on a parcel of land in South Crestwood in early March 2017.
4 of 9
Jesse Chambers
South Crestwood parcel_4
Another view of an entrance -- at 12th Avenue and 50th Street South -- of the last undeveloped piece of land in South Crestwood.
5 of 9
Jesse Chambers
South Crestwood parcel_5
Foliage on a parcel in South Crestwood that some residents want to turn into a nature preserve.
6 of 9
Jesse Chambers
South Crestwood parcel_5
More foliage in an undeveloped piece of South Crestwood.
7 of 9
Jesse Chambers
South Crestwood parcel_6
A path in a parcel of undeveloped land in Crestwood.
8 of 9
Jesse Chambers
South Crestwood parcel_7
Some Crestwood residents have been reaching out to local and state conservation groups for advice regarding the preservation of this small parcel.
9 of 9
Jesse Chambers
South Crestwood parcel_8
Another view of a hidden piece of nature in South Crestwood in March 2017.
About 50 South Crestwood residents want to turn the last piece of undeveloped land in their neighborhood into a nature preserve.
The effort began with their recent success in stopping a development on the 6.5-acre parcel, which has an entrance at 12th Avenue and 50th Street South.
Tower Development’s plan to clear-cut the parcel and build 29 homes was rejected by a city planning commission subcommittee in February after residents voiced concerns about flooding, landslides, increased traffic, loss of wildlife habitat and the density of homes planned for the site.
“It’s probably a good fit for [the parcel] to be a green space rather than some other development,” said Brad Edmonds, one of the group’s organizers.
The group consists of South Crestwood residents along with a few from North Crestwood, Forest Park and Avondale, Edmonds said.
“This area is dear to a large part of the neighborhood, especially those nearest to it,” said Andrea Paschal, who has lived near the parcel for 17 years and started a petition to help stop the development.
The group planned to meet recently with several local and state conservation groups to explore their interest in the project.
The response the group receives will determine who is going to spearhead the project, Edmonds said.
“Having a resource like this for Crestwood South would be something special,” Edmonds said.
Neither the developer, Price Hightower, nor his attorney responded to requests for comment.
For more information about the preservation effort, contact crestwoodpreserve@gmail.com.
