Madison County receives $911,000 in grants from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) for park improvements.
The announcement came Wednesday from the office of Rep. Chris Todd (R-Madison County), where details of the improvements for five parks were announced.
The grant, approved by the Tennessee General Assembly for the 2024-2025 budget, comes from the Local Parks and Recreation Fund (LPRF). LPRF grants are eligible for city or county governments, require matched match matching, and can be used to purchase land for parks and natural areas or, in the case of Madison County, to fund capital projects.
Funds will be used for ADA accessibility improvements, paving entrances, and creating new amenities. The following locations are subject to improvements:
- Beech Bluff Recreation Center: an ADA-accessible playground and pavilion
- Eva Mae Greer/Van Lawson Talley Park: an ADA accessible playground, construction of a picnic pavilion, construction of restroom facilities, paved parking lot, security fences and park benches
- Godwin Park: ADA-accessible restrooms, an ADA-accessible pavilion, and repaving of the parking lot and entrance area
- H. Leroy Pope Park: Repaving parking lots and driveways to improve ADA accessibility and traffic
- Pugh Bourne Park: Repaving of parking lots and driveways to improve ADA accessibility and traffic, ADA accessible wading pool, community activity building to replace old horse stables
The City of Jackson is also improving its parks, most recently with new playgrounds and renovations at Paradise, Malesus and Conger parks.
Under the administration of TDEC’s Office of Outdoor Recreation, $21,017,000 in LPRF funds were distributed to 27 communities across the state, including Madison County.
Distribution amounts range from $25,000 to improve Tennessee Ridge City Park to $3.3 million for Heritage Park in Hendersonville.
“This important investment in Madison County will improve accessibility to our parks and provide residents with more opportunities for recreational activities,” Todd said.
Todd has served in several environmental roles, including his current role as Chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
“Our community is blessed with several exceptional parks and community spaces and I look forward to seeing the positive impact of these significant projects.”
Sarah Best is a reporter for The Jackson Sun. To support local journalism, subscribe to the Daily Briefing Here.
