News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
White County Parks and Recreation Committee held its first public meeting to start the process of creating a system-wide master plan.
Chair Jayson McDonald said that the county noticed a need to create a five-year plan that would improve and enhance the activities it has to offer.
“Disc golf, or whether it be walking trails, or greenways, or boat launch ramps,” McDonald said. “Anything that has to do with outdoor activities. To get out community members out, to get them active, to get them interested in the natures and the beauties of White County.”
Ragan Smith Associates Landscape Architect Kevin Guenther said that this meeting is the first phase of three in the process of developing a county master plan. He said that taking inventory of the amenities already offered can help them get ideas for what residents would like to add. He said that then they’ll have a second public meeting to get feedback on the initial plans, and then will move into implementing the master plan.
“Once we’ve made our recommendations, once we’ve made sure that we heard you, and we’ve heard from the county leadership,” Gunther said. “We are going to make sure that we give you suggestions on how to implement the plan. Because you want this to be something that moves forward, you want it to be something dynamic and gives you ideas about what’s next.”
White County resident Sherry Bilbrey said she wants to see more activities that get people out and about. She said that the prospect of forming a master plan is exciting because it could bring more visitors to the community.
“I like the idea of more of the activities for the park venues, the movies, more music venues,” Bilbrey said. “I own an Airbnb as well as a wedding venue, but with my Airbnb, a lot of people come through here just to see the parks. To go on the hikes.”
McDonald said that the master plan project is being funded through a Healthy Active Built Environment grant from the state Department of Health. He said that once a master plan is established, that can open the door for other grant application opportunities.
