TDEC, Office of Outdoor Recreation Announce $21 Million in Parks & Recreation Grants
The state’s Office of Outdoor Recreation today announced $21,017,000 in grants from the Local Parks and Recreation Fund (LPRF) for 27 communities across the state. The office is housed in the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).
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. All grant projects must 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,” said Greer Tidwell, deputy commissioner for the Bureau of Conservation at TDEC. “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.”
Grants Announced
| Awardee | County | Amount | Project |
|---|---|---|---|
| Town of Arlington | Shelby | $500,000 | Arlington Forrest Street Park sports field lighting |
| City of Bartlett | Shelby | $750,000 | City of Bartlett Shadowlawn Park enhancements |
| Town of Bean Station | Grainger | $125,000 | Bean Station City Park improvements project |
| City of Blaine | Grainger | $75,000 | City of Blaine City Park paving project |
| Town of Dandridge | Jefferson | $500,000 | Dandridge Field of Dreams improvement project |
| City of Erin | Houston | $50,000 | City of Erin playground upgrades at Betsy Ligon Park and Hensley Park |
| City of Harriman | Roane | $300,000 | Harriman Community Center and Riverfront Park improvements |
| City of Hendersonville | Sumner | $3,380,000 | City of Hendersonville Heritage Park |
| Houston County | Houston | $200,000 | Houston County Community Center renovation of old Armory building |
| City of Kingsport | Sullivan | $2,900,000 | Bays Mountain Park, Brickyard Park upgrades |
| City of Lebanon | Wilson | $350,000 | Lebanon Don Fox Park splash pad |
| Madison County | Madison | $911,000 | Madison County multiple park improvements |
| City of McMinnville | Warren | $115,000 | City of McMinnville, Rocket Park improvements |
| City of Milan | Gibson | $375,000 | City of Milan, City Park ballfield improvements |
| Town of Nolensville | Williamson | $1,200,000 | Town of Nolensville Sunset Park improvements |
| City of Norris | Anderson | $375,000 | Norris Memorial Park sports courts development |
| Oliver Springs | Roane | $29,000 | LPRF Oliver Springs Arrowhead Park improvements |
| City of Rocky Top | Anderson | $566,000 | Rocky Top Community Center park improvements |
| Town of Saltillo | Hardin | $44,000 | Saltillo City Park playground improvement |
| City of Selmer | McNairy | $356,000 | Selmer City Park improvements |
| City of Shelbyville | Bedford | $2,500,000 | H.V. Griffin Park expansion |
| Town of Tennessee Ridge | Houston | $25,000 | City Park upgrades |
| Town of Thompson’s Station | Williamson | $600,000 | Thompson's Station Sarah Benson Playground update |
| City of Tiptonville | Lake | $2,000,000 | Tiptonville Community Center renovation and baseball complex renovation |
| City of Trenton | Gibson | $553,000 | Improvements at Shady Acres Park |
| City of White House | Robertson | $65,000 | White House Municipal Park renovation |
| Williamson County | Williamson | $2,173,000 | Williamson County Osburn Park and Castle Park improvements |
Grant Details
Town of Arlington
Installation of sports field lights at the existing multi-purpose fields at Forrest Street Park.
City of Bartlett
Construction of a new restroom and concession building to replace the existing structure, accessible pathways to connect all of the park amenities, accessible playground, and renovation and expansion of parking at Shadowland Park.
Town of Bean Station
Upgrades to the existing playground area, parking, and two ballfields at City Park.
City of Blaine
Milling/resurfacing of the parking lot, striping and accessible parking, signage, park benches, and fence toppers for the ballfield at City Park.
Town of Dandridge
Playground, restroom building, access paths, a shade structure, accessible parking and pickleball courts at Field of Dreams Playground.
City of Erin
Playground safety surfacing and accessibility upgrades at Betsy Ligon Park and Hensley Park.
City of Harriman
Improvements at the Community Center will include new flooring for the gymnasium, an HVAC system, and parking lot paving. Improvements at Riverfront Park will include Phase I of the installation of new trail lighting.
City of Hendersonville
Pavilions, trails, event barn, welcome center, parking, nature playground at Heritage Park.
Houston County
Renovation of Armory into a multipurpose Community Center.
City of Kingsport
Brickyard Park development of bike trails to include skills areas and natural surface trails and construction of a lighted parking lot expansion and accessibility.
Bays Mountain Park renovation of the lower level of the Nature Center, accessible pathway to event terrace, and a new otter habitat with accessible viewing and pathways.
City of Lebanon
Replace existing wading pool with 6,000-sq.-ft. splash pad, accessible parking and pathways at Don Fox Park.
Madison County
Pugh Bourne Park accessibility upgrades, paving of the parking areas, accessible splash pad, and community activity building. H. Leroy Pope Park - accessibility upgrades and paving of the parking areas. Eva Mae Greer/Van Lawson Talley Park – new park to include accessible playgrounds, accessible picnic pavilion, restroom facility, parking area, security features, and amenities. Godwin Park - restroom facility, paved parking area and entry road, and pavilion. Beech Bluff Recreation Center - accessible playground, pavilion, and amenities.
City of McMinnville
A pavilion, paving of entrance, drive and parking lot, accessible paths, resurfacing of a multi-sport playing court, and kayak/boat ramp to access Barren Fork at Rocket Park.
City of Milan
Restrooms, concessions, and press-box structure, accessible pathways, and replacement of lighting on a ballfield at City Park.
Town of Nolensville
Pickleball/tennis court, basketball court, restroom building, multi-purpose field, parking, and walking trail at Sunset Park.
City of Norris
Redevelopment of tennis courts into a new complex to including a tennis court, pickle ball courts, and a new outdoor basketball court, upgrades to the existing restroom, parking, and accessible pathways at Memorial Park.
Town of Oliver Springs
Accessible pathways to the ballfields, concrete pads for the bleachers, and accessible seating areas, and LED security light replacements at Arrowhead Park.
City of Rocky Top
Upgrade of the existing restroom facility, replacement of bleacher structure, with a press box on top, and accessibility features at Community Center Park.
Town of Saltillo
Accessible playground and surface material at City Park.
City of Selmer
Rehabilitation of basketball and tennis courts, restroom, and accessible pathways at City Park.
City of Shelbyville
Phase I expansion at H.V. Griffin Park.
Town of Tennessee Ridge
Accessibility upgrades including parking, access paths, playground safety surfacing, and playground border at City Park.
Town of Thompson's Station
Inclusive playground at Sara Benson Park.
City of Tiptonville
Renovation of Armory into a Multipurpose Community Center, baseball Field renovation and parking lot resurfaced.
City of Trenton
Revitalization Phase 1 - ballfield renovations/upgrades, drainage, restroom/concession facility, playground, pavilion, walking trail repairs, and splash pad at Shady Acres Park.
City of White House
Parking lot for dog park, renovate concession stand at baseball/softball quad, storage and meeting room building, shade structure, tennis courts, and site amenities at Municipal Park.
Williamson County
Osburn Park – construction of a paved, accessible walking trail, accessible parking lot spaces, pavilions, playground, park lighting, multi-purpose playing courts, blueway access point, and site amenities. Castle Park - construction of an equestrian arenas, driveway, parking areas, seating arena, concessions/restroom, and a pavilion.
For more information about the LPRF program and how to apply, visit: https://www.tn.gov/environment/outdoorrec.html