Cookeville Looking To Acquire 31 Acres To Expand Cane Creek

Cookeville City Council will vote Thursday to acquire 31.39 acres off Buffalo Valley Road to expand Cane Creek Park.

City Manager James Mills has set an option on the land set to expire November 30. The total price: $350,000.

“I’m really excited to bring this to the council,” Mills said at Monday’s Work Session. “The opportunity to expand the jewel of the city in Cane Creek Park is rare. We have the chance like this to acquire this property to expand the park. I’m very happy to present that.”

The owner of the farm land approached the city wanting the land to be part of the park. Mills said the per acre price of $11,000 is a “more than fair price.” Mills discussed with council in October and pursued the option.

Leisure Services Director Rick Woods said the farm land could add additional walking trails and parking for Cane Creek as well as additional greenspace. A TVA easement does runs through a portion of the land, limiting some construction. Woods said in the first look at the land, his team projected another mile of paved walking trail through the new land.

“We went through a master land-use plan process back in 2015 and identified this property as a possibility to purchase down the road some time,” Woods said.

A new restroom facility and picnic shelters could also be part of the expansion.

“It’s our largest park, it’s our most visited park,” Woods said. “The walking trail’s so very popular out there and the lake, of course, it’s picturesque. It’s a great place to be.”