Anderson County Commissioners hope to track down the heirs to the Swank Family Estate in hope of getting rid of Swank Park. The Swank Estate gifted the 160 acres to the county 40 years ago to be run as a park. But commissioners say it is costing them more than it’s worth. The park is used mainly by ATV riders that use its steep hills, ravines and creeks as a trail; but commissioners say that raises safety concerns.
The commission will use a search service to track down any heirs of the Swanks. That will cost about $2,700, but they hope to assess that fee to any heirs that are found in exchange for the property.
The land could sell for as much as $5,000 on the open market. One other way to eliminate the park would be to declare it was no longer a park, which would default it to the heirs. If property taxes went unpaid, they could foreclose and sell the land at a tax sale. More information will be presented at the next commission meeting.
