City of Jasper Seeks to Establish Ownership of Seng Park for Residential Sale

The City of Jasper is working to secure ownership interests pertaining to Seng Park as it considers converting the neighborhood park property to residential use. 

The property, known as Lot 14 in the Seng’s Heights subdivision, was designated as a recreational area when the subdivision was platted in 1952. Under the recorded plat, owners of the surrounding lots each hold a 1/41 interest in the property. Lot 14 was later conveyed by warranty deed to the Jasper Park and Recreation Department in 1974. However, the original ownership interests outlined in the plat were not addressed in that conveyance, leaving the City without clear title to the property. 

The Jasper Park and Recreation Department has recommended decommissioning Seng Park, located on Genevieve Avenue, citing limited use and maintenance costs that are disproportionate to the park’s patronage. The City also noted that aging recreational equipment would require additional investment if the park remained in operation. 

In making the recommendation, the department referred to the City’s ongoing development and improvement of larger parks that offer broader recreational opportunities for the community. The City has suggested that continued operation and maintenance of Seng Park cannot be justified and has identified residential development as the preferred future use of the property. 

Lot 14 is located in the R-2 Single-Family Residential zoning district, where residential development is permitted subject to applicable requirements. According to Section 4.6 on page 46 of the City’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), R2 permitted uses include community gardens, private swimming pools, and amenity areas like parks and natural recreation areas. It also allows single-family dwellings (including manufactured homes), accessory dwellings, two- family dwellings, residential facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities (RFIDD), and residential facilities for the mentally ill. 

Before the property can be offered for sale, however, the City must resolve the ownership interests identified in the subdivision plat. At the June 9 meeting of the Jasper Park and Recreation board, City Attorney Renee Kabrick described the park’s ownership as complicated. The City of Jasper holds the deed, but no clear legal title. She explained, “The City is the listed owner, but the property is technically owned by all of those 41 owners surrounding it.” Because properties within Seng’s Heights may carry an ownership interest in Lot 14, the City has contacted affected property owners by letter. They have asked that residents contact the City of Jasper Legal Department to discuss the issue and review the Quitclaim Deed that would be used to convey individual ownership interests in Lot 14 to the City. 

In order to change the lot’s designation from recreational zoning to residential, all involved property owners would need to transfer their interest to the City by signing a Quitclaim Deed. If any of the residents opt not to sign, the City could inform residents that maintenance will no longer be performed by Park staff. During the June 9 meeting, Kabrick reminded the board that this was the method employed with decommissioning the 34 th Street Park, which the City is still maintaining. The Parks Department has also recommended the decommissioning of other local parks. The status of those and the fate of Seng Park remains unclear. 

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