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TDEC, Office of Outdoor Recreation announce $21M in parks & rec grants

By Colleen Guerry,

10 hours ago

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Volunteer State’s newly created Office of Outdoor Recreation — which is housed in the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) — announced a total of $21,017,000 in grants from the Local Parks and Recreation Fund (LPRF) for 27 communities.

According to officials, the LPRF program provides state funding to match local government investments for recreation projects and the purchase of land for parks, natural areas, greenways, and recreational facilities. However, all grant projects need to be on publicly owned land.

“The LPRF program is a critical resource that the Office of Outdoor Recreation manages to help expand access to recreational opportunities in our local communities,” said Brian Clifford, director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation. “These grants directly contribute to improving the quality of life, health, and economy in our cities and counties.”

“Communities across the state need resources to provide Tennesseans with excellent recreational opportunities, and these grants support those projects,” Greer Tidwell, deputy commissioner for the Bureau of Conservation at TDEC, added. “The grants and local teamwork our Tennessee legislators established in this funding program will continue to support many exciting new features at the local level.”

Officials announced the following grants for localities across the state — including nearly a dozen in Middle Tennessee — on Wednesday, Aug. 14:

AWARDEE	COUNTY	AMOUNT	PROJECT
Town of Arlington	Shelby	$500,000	Installation of sports field lights at existing multipurpose fields at Forrest Street Park.
City of Bartlett	Shelby	$750,000	Construction of new restroom and concession building to replace existing structure, accessible pathways to connect all park amenities, and accessible playground, as well as renovation and expansion of parking at Shadowland Park.
Town of Bean Station	Grainger	$125,000	Upgrades to existing playground area, parking, and two ballfields at City Park.
City of Blaine	Grainger	$75,000	Milling/resurfacing of parking lot, striping and accessible parking, signage, park benches, and fence toppers for ballfield at City Park.
Town of Dandridge	Jefferson	$500,000	Playground, restroom building, access paths, shade structure, accessible parking, and pickleball courts at Field of Dreams Playground.
City of Erin	Houston	$50,000	Playground safety surfacing and accessibility upgrades at Betsy Ligon Park and Hensley Park .
City of Harriman	Roane	$300,000	New flooring for gymnasium, HVAC system, and parking lot paving at Community Center. Phase I of installation of new trail lighting at Riverfront Park.
City of Hendersonville	Sumner	$3,380,000	Pavilions, trails, event barn, welcome center, parking, and nature playground at Heritage Park .
Houston County	—	$200,000	Renovation of Armory into multipurpose Community Center .
City of Kingsport	Sullivan	$2,900,000	Development of bike trails at Brickyard Park to include skills areas and natural surface trails, as well as construction of lighted parking lot expansion and accessibility. Renovation of Nature Center’s lower level, accessible pathway to event terrace, and new otter habitat with accessible viewing and pathways at Bays Mountain Park.
City of Lebanon	Wilson	$350,000	Replacement of existing wading pool with 6,000-square-foot splashpad, accessible parking, and pathways at Don Fox Park.
Madison County	—	$911,000	Accessibility upgrades, paving of parking areas, accessible splashpad, and community activity building at Pugh Bourne Park. Accessibility upgrades and paving of parking areas at H. Leroy Pope Park. New park to include accessible playgrounds, accessible picnic pavilion, restroom facility, parking area, security features, and amenities at Eva Mae Greer/Van Lawson Talley Park. Restroom facility, paved parking area and entry road, and pavilion at Godwin Park. Accessible playground, pavilion, and amenities at Beech Bluff Recreation Center.
City of McMinnville	Warren	$115,000	Pavilion; paving of entrance, drive, and parking lot; accessible paths; resurfacing of multi-sport playing court; and kayak/boat ramp to access Barren Fork at Rocket Park.
City of Milan	Gibson	$375,000	Restrooms, concessions, press-box structure, accessible pathways, and replaced lighting on ballfield at City Park.
Town of Nolensville	Williamson	$1,200,000	Pickleball/tennis court, basketball court, restroom building, multi-purpose field, parking, and walking trail at Sunset Park.
City of Norris	Anderson	$375,000	Redevelopment of tennis courts into new complex including tennis court, pickleball courts, and new outdoor basketball court; upgrades to existing restroom; parking; and accessible pathways at Memorial Park.
Town of Oliver Springs	Roane	$29,000	Accessible pathways to ballfields, concrete pads for bleachers, accessible seating areas, and LED security light replacements at Arrowhead Park.
City of Rocky Top	Anderson	$566,000	Upgrade of existing restroom facility, replacement of bleacher structure with press box on top, and accessibility features at Community Center Park.
Town of Saltillo	Hardin	$44,000	Accessible playground and surface material at City Park.
City of Selmer	McNairy	$356,000	Rehabilitation of basketball and tennis courts, restroom, and accessible pathways at City Park.
City of Shelbyville	Bedford	$2,500,000	Phase I expansion at H.V. Griffin Park.
Town of Tennessee Ridge	Houston	$25,000	Accessibility upgrades including parking, access paths, playground safety surfacing, and playground border at City Park.
Town of Thompson’s Station	Williamson	$600,000	Inclusive playground at Sara Benson Park.
City of Tiptonville	Lake	$2,000,000	Renovation of Armory into multipurpose Community Center, renovation of baseball field, and resurfacing of parking lot.
City of Trenton	Gibson	$553,000	Revitalization Phase 1 with ballfield renovations/upgrades, drainage, restroom/concession facility, playground, pavilion, walking trail repairs, and splashpad at Shady Acres Park.
City of White House	Robertson	$65,000	Parking lot for dog park, renovated concession stand at baseball/softball quad, storage and meeting room building, shade structure, tennis courts, and site amenities at Municipal Park.
Williamson County	—	$2,173,000	Construction of paved, accessible walking trail; accessible parking lot spaces; pavilions; playground; park lighting; multipurpose playing courts; blueway access point; and site amenities at Osburn Park. Construction of equestrian arena, driveway, parking areas, seating area, concessions/restroom, and pavilion at Castle Park.

Three officials representing Middle Tennessee localities that received grants shared statements following Wednesday’s announcement.

“Two years ago, the town acquired property on Sunset Road. Receiving this grant will allow us to expand recreational opportunities in Nolensville. We are excited about this opportunity and know that the creation of this park will positively impact our community,” Nolensville Town Manager Victor Lay said about the $1.2 million grant.

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“The State of Tennessee’s LPRF awarding Lebanon $350,000 is a big win for our community, specifically for Don Fox Park,” Lebanon Mayor Rick Bell said. “The Don Fox Wading Pool has been fun for families and a blessing to our community for 30 years. I appreciate the Lebanon City Council for encouraging us to apply for the matching grant to modernize the area for a splash pad and provide access for everyone.”

“Our local parks provide the community with numerous recreational opportunities to benefit their physical health and wellbeing,” said state Rep. Sabi ‘Doc’ Kumar (R-Springfield) regarding the $65,000 grant going towards White House. “White House Municipal Park gives citizens a place to gather, play and enjoy the great outdoors. These renovations will improve the amenities for years to come and I can’t wait to see the finished product.”

TDEC, Office of Outdoor Recreation announce $21M in parks & rec grants

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