KINGSPORT — The City of Kingsport has received a $2.9 million Local Parks and Recreation Fund grant from the state of Tennessee that will go towards improvements at Bays Mountain Park and the Brickyard Complex.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation announced the awarding of $21 million in grants to 27 communities across the state on Aug. 15.
“These dollars will go a long way in making key improvements to two of our most popular facilities and we believe the public will be excited to see the finished product,” said Assistant City Manager Michael Borders. “This grant would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, our legislators, the Bays Mountain Park Commission, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, our staff, TDEC, and the unwavering support of our citizens.”
Kingsport will match the $2.9 million grant with $1.6 million in sponsor funds and $1.3 million in city funds to make more than $5.8 million in improvements over the next three years.
“It’s a great day for Bays Mountain Park and the City of Kingsport,” said Russ Brogden, chair of the Bays Mountain Park Commission. “We’ve been actively working on a long-range park improvement plan to take a fantastic park and make it world class in every respect. This state grant will allow us to make a major leap forward on these plans.”
Plans for improvements at Bays Mountain Park include:
Arrival and entry walk into the Nature CenterAn expanded and ADA accessible Kid’s Cave on the lower levelEvent terrace facing the lakeA new otter habitat.
Plans for improvements at the Brickyard Complex include:
The development of bike trails to include a skills area and natural surface trailsConstruction of a lighted parking lot expansion and ADA connections
Bays Mountain Park has seen more than $2.5 million in private investment since the 50th anniversary in 2021.
“The Kingsport Community Foundation is proud to partner with Bays Mountain Park to support their ‘Join the Adventure’ campaign. We view the state of Tennessee’s grant funding as further evidence of what we all know to be true — Bays Mountain Park is a true treasure for our region,” said Greg Perdue, chair of the Kingsport Community Foundation. “By partnering with the East Tennessee Foundation to facilitate this capital campaign, these funds, along with support from other private and public partnerships, will ensure that the park remains a critical asset in our community for generations to come.”
Kingsport began its first phase of Nature Center improvements in the fall of 2023 with work expected to wrap up later this year. Improvements included new flooring and lighting throughout the main floor gallery, an expanded gift shop, renovated employee offices and a new, more pronounced entrance to the planetarium.
In May, the Nature Center was rededicated as the Good Steward Nature Center to honor the lead donor — the James and Laura Rogers Foundation.
“Our family believes we should be good stewards with all we’ve been given and what better way to do that than to support the Bays Mountain Park,” said Laura Rogers. “It is a blessing that the state has partnered with us in this endeavor.”
The Brickyard Complex, located off Industry Drive, is a 43-acre sports facility and community park that includes four ballfields, a Miracle League field, a fully accessible playground, state of the art pump track and the Scott Adams Memorial Skatepark.
Learn more about Kingsport’s Parks and Recreation Department online at www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.
Local News
