County gives 22 acres behind museum to Troy

Lincoln County commissioners have agreed to give about 22 acres of land behind the Troy Museum to the city for the purpose of a recreational area.

Lincoln County Commissioner Ron Downey took the lead in the request to transfer ownership of the parcel of county-owned land behind the museum, west of Callahan Creek and south of the Burlington Northern Sante Fe railroad tracks.

“The city will take over all expenses,” Downey said, elaborating on the quitclaim deed that would allow Troy to take ownership of the property as soon as the paperwork is complete.

“It’s really a nice set up for the community,” said Presiding Commissioner Tony Berget. “It’s a good thing for Troy.”

With the quitclaim deed, which City Clerk Tracy Rebo received Thursday, Troy will assume all responsibility — and liability — for the land.

“I know the city’s been interested in the land for some time,” Rebo said.

Included on the property is a disk golf course — also known as a folf course. The county has been responsible for the trimming of trees and cleaning of fallen trees and debris on the course, which has been a liability.

Mayor Tony Brown called the acquistion of the property “a good thing for Troy. I’m an avid bicyclist, and I can see a BMX course in there. Yeah, we’ll need to get in there and pull some weeds and cut some trees, but there’s a lot that can be done there.”

Brown also said he’d favor the museum site being a trailhead for hikes up Callahan Creek.

Downey said he’s excited for the potential of the change of ownership.

“It’ll be great for the museum and for Troy,” Downey said. “There are some old railroad tracks that come off on the end, a boat access area and there are existing bathrooms.”

Plans for the site will be discussed at a subsequent City Council meeting, Brown said.