News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Expanding the White County Recreational Complex and building a splash pad are two initial projects included in the county’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
The ideas were shared during a Parks and Recreation Committee community feedback session Tuesday night. Chair Jayson McDonald said the final plan should be ready to share next month.
“We kind of modeled a lot of it after one that we have seen from Jamestown in Fentress County that Mr. Kevin Guenther from Ragan Smith had done for them,” McDonald said.
McDonald said the consulting firm has formed the initial plan by conducting an inventory of county facilities over the last eight months. The community feedback session was required as a part of the state grant that is funding the master plan project.
“They’re excited,” McDonald said. “We probably had 30 maybe 35 people there last night coming and going. It was kind of an open forum. Mr. Guenther talked about what they have done up to this point, and he had board laid out to where people could look at the possibilities.”
McDonald said the county wants to explore partnering with the YMCA to build the splash pad. McDonald said utilizing the old middle school property and incorporating more kayaking opportunities were other ideas discussed. McDonald said the Central View School property could also be included.
“All of our school playgrounds in the county are a part of this master plan, because they are public use,” McDonald said. “Definitely, Central View buidling would be open for discussion. I don’t know to what extent at this point.”
McDonald said the plan is to present the final proposal to the county commission next month. McDonald said if approved, the process of funding the plan through grants will begin.
