On September 22, at the Regular Session meeting the City Council approved a land transfer donation of two tracts from Missouri Dept. of Conservation. The City will pay MDC $10 for each property.
The 65-acre tract known as Walnut Woods Conservation Area is located adjacent to Stocksdale Park.
The 42-acre tract known as Rush Creek Conservation Area is located adjacent to Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary and the City-owned Brian Court property. The Park Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with MLTNS for future coordinated use and maintenance of the Rush Creek property at its September meeting.
The Council also approved Land Management Plans for both properties to ensure they will be preserved as a natural wildlife corridor and remain open to the public.
MDC approached Liberty, MO Parks & Rec with the proposed land transfer in 2024 as they had limited future funding to maintain both areas, but could potentially fund cost-share grants in the future if the property was owned by the City.