A proposal to sell 80 acres of Leon County-owned land next to Tom Brown Park has led to a grass-roots effort to preserve the property for biking and walking trails.

On Feb. 25, county commissioners considered selling the property, which features expert-level dirt bike trails, a ravine and the city's paved Goose Pond trail, to raise money for long-term space needs and other projects. The proposal was brought by county staff after a review of surplus property.

And while commissioners postponed a final decision on the possible land sale, the discussion alarmed Dolly Blunt, conservator for the Florida State Archives and an outdoors enthusiast. Blunt, who attended the meeting, had no idea the county was considering selling the land until the discussion began.

Since then, she has put up fliers and created a Web site with her roommate, Jesse Frank, to warn bikers about the possible sale, which she said could lead to pollution of Upper Lake Lafayette. That's led to e-mails and phone calls from concerned citizens to commissioners and county staff.

"I guess the main reason I feel so strongly is we have a green space that people are utilizing in a nonpolluting manner," Blunt said. "And they want to pave over paradise and put up a parking lot."

The land, located northwest of Tom Brown Park, is bordered by Capital Circle Northeast to the west, a railroad line and Goose Pond trail to the north, the Tallahassee-Leon Community Animal Service Center to the east and Easterwood Drive to the south.

The county bought the land from the federal government for $65,000 in 1969, three years before it acquired 255 acres for Tom Brown Park. The deed for Tom Brown Park includes a provision calling for it to return to the government if it's not maintained as a park, but there is no such "reverter" clause in the deed for the 80-acre site, according to Kim Dressel, director of the county's management services.

The property was informally appraised at $6.1 million several years ago, and proceeds from any sale could go toward future improvements at the Bank of America building, which the county recently bought for courthouse expansion, or other needs, such as emergency medical services, an expensive new program the county must have in place by October.

The Magnolia Trail, treasured by bikers because of its tough terrain and technical challenges, starts in Tom Brown Park and winds 3½ into the 80-acre site.

It includes hills and tree crossings and such twists and turns as the "Sacrificial Lamb," "The Bomb" and the "Dead Zone" and was reportedly used by international Olympic athletes in 1996.

"That trail is one of the best in the state because it's challenging, it's beautiful and it's fun," said Todd May, co-owner of Higher Ground bike shop. "It would be a shame if the city lost that."

The property also is home to a dual slalom used by the Florida State University cycling team, which hosts regular racing competitions that bring in out-of-town visitors and tourist dollars, Blunt said.

Brian Pierce, a state worker, and Craig Irish, a painter, biked the trail on a recent afternoon. The two, along with others who use the trail, said they thought the 80-acre property was part of Tom Brown Park.

"I think we're very fortunate in Tallahassee to have as many trails as we've got," Irish said. "And now they're talking about eliminating it."

Commissioners are awaiting a natural features inventory and other information before making a decision on the property. They ultimately could decide to sell all or none or a portion of the property. Opinions vary among commissioners.

Commissioner Bob Rackleff wants to preserve the land as an open space and said he worried that new development would lead to more pollution of Upper Lake Lafayette, which lies north of the property.

"I don't think two or three generations from now, people are going to complain that we created too much park land and open space," Rackleff said.

Chairman Tony Grippa said he favors selling only a small portion of the land nearest Capital Circle for development, which he said would help put more property on the tax rolls.

"That's the kind of compromise that makes sense for the environment and the taxpayer," Grippa said.

Commissioner Cliff Thaell predicted the commission will vote to preserve environmentally sensitive portions of the property.

"I hope people don't get excessively alarmed for the potential of this happening," Thaell said. "I think the commission will do the right thing."