Lacombe County and an Alix-area couple are trying to mend fences in a park dispute.
Penny and Hunter Warford complained the boundary of the Kuhnen Natural Area on the north side of Red Deer River near Alix encroaches on their property.
The Warfords say in a letter to the county the head of a trail is actually on their land, which means people are trespassing on their property, creating potential liability issues.
The Warfords say in their letter they asked the county to post a no-trespassing sign in the area, but nothing has happened.
A proposal the Warfords lease the affected land to the county for $1 did not impress them.
“We were understandably insulted by this,” they say.
They also said they were not notified before the natural area was created after area farmers Frank and Rose Kuhnen donated 65 acres to the county last year on the condition the land be left in its natural state.
The natural area was the second land donation by the Kuhnens. In 2015, the family donated a 140-acre chunk of land north of Blackfalds that became Kuhnen Park.
In the natural area, the Warfords are also concerned about litter, dogs spooking cattle, trespassing, illegal hunting and the potential for fence damage.
“At this point, we feel that the Lacombe County has exercised a gross misuse of power, in addition to infringing on our rights and privacy,” they write.
The couple appeared before council this past Thursday to raise their concerns.
Penny Warford said Wednesday they continue to work with the county to try to resolve the dispute. She did not want to discuss what the couple wanted to see done ahead of an upcoming meeting with county staff, but said a resolution was possible.
“I believe so,” she said.
County Reeve Paula Law said council has asked staff to see if the Warfords’ concerns can be addressed.
“Administration is still trying to work with them on this, on all of their concerns,” said Law.
As for the Warfords’ complaint of not being contacted, Law said any land negotiations between the county and others carries an expectation of confidentiality before an agreement is signed.
“If an individual is purchasing land from another individual, you don’t contact the neighbours to say you’re purchasing it.
“As far as afterwards, we’re looking at our processes. We’re looking to see if there is something we could’ve (done) and could do different in the future.
“I’m hoping that we can come to a resolution that works for both parties.”
pcowley@reddeeradvocate.com
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