Lebanon awarded $350K state grant to build splash pad at city park

Don Fox Park in Lebanon will get a new splash pad through a $350,000 state grant, according to an announcement by Tennessee Rep. Clark Boyd, R-Lebanon.

The 6,000 square foot splash pad will replace a 30-year-old wading pool and include accessible parking and pathways at the park on West Baddour Parkway, according to the city.

“Don Fox Park is an incredible asset to our community,” Boyd said. “This new splash pad will provide additional opportunities for residents and their families to stay active outdoors."

The project must go through a design phase before construction will begin, according to the city. The process could take up to two years to complete, Jimmy Floyd Family Center Director Alex Major said in the city's announcement.

Benefits to the switch is that a splash pad will not need a lifeguard and can be open longer during the summer months, Major said.

The plan is to keep the splash pad open from May 1 to Oct. 1, Major said. The Jimmy Floyd Family Center staff oversees the current wading pool and the future splash pad, and the city-owned indoor and outdoor pools.

Ward 1 Councilor Joey Carmack has supported upgrades to Don Fox Park.

The grant is part of $21 million in funding awarded to communities across the state from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Local Parks and Recreation Fund. It was approved by the General Assembly in the 2024-25 state budget.

The Local Parks and Recreation Fund provides state funding to match local government investments for recreation projects and the purchase of land for parks, natural areas, greenways and recreational facilities. All grant projects must be on publicly owned land.

The Tennessean will provide more details as information becomes available.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Lebanon awarded $350K state grant to build splash pad at city park