Cookeville Officials Dialogue With West End Connection Regarding Concerns

Cookeville city officials opening dialogue with the non-profit West End Connection regarding West End Park concerns.

West End Connection officials particularly concerned with increased park traffic and security. Leisure Services Director Rick Woods said the Connection’s worry about security a response, in part, to the recent death of a Cookeville High School student killed earlier this month.

“There are other safety issues that come up like the speed of the traffic that goes by on the streets at West End Park,” Woods said. “The safety of users there when there are many people there, how much patrol do we have there at the park, those are some of the things.”

Woods said the group also wants better coordination of park use. Woods said conversations have already begun, but will continue. Woods said West End Connection has shared specific ideas regarding future projects that could enhance the park for visitors.

“For the safety of the public and the enjoyment of the use of the park,” Woods said. “Nobody’s going to go to parks if they’re feeling unsafe or they’re feeling they may be threatened in any way, so safety is a huge thing.”

“We just really want to make sure that all of our parks, but specifically in their case West End Park, is as safe as it can be for all users,” Woods said.

Woods said that the city has a master plan detailing improvements to be made at all Cookeville parks, including West End. Woods said West End Connection ideas include additional play equipment for children and Cookeville is looking at camera upgrades for all parks.