News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
First Lady Maria Lee and Governor Bill Lee will be working in Hermitage Springs Saturday, a one-day project to build a new community playground.
The project is part of Lee’s Tennessee Serves initiative meant to help a different community in the state each month. Lee said she wants to impact the area in a way that will benefit them for years to come.
“It’s been something that’s in the, been in the making for a long time,” Lee said. “Just something I’ve held in my heart to do that would create something that lasts, you know, and benefits a larger group of people than say, just, you know, handing out boxes of food, you know, at a one-time stop.”
Work on the playground begins at 8:00am on Saturday. Lee said she worked with students at the Hermitage Springs School to get their input on what the playground should look like.
“For them to have ownership and take part in planning and detailing what would be in this playground I think gave them a real sense of pride and responsibility and ownership.”
Workers spent Thursday and Friday preparing the site for Saturday’s work. Lee said the playground will essentially be built in one day. She said that will be exciting to watch.
Lee said the effort is a collaboration with the non-profit KABOOM!, which works to provide playgrounds for communities across the nation. She said the playground will be good for everyone in the community, not just the children.
“It’s a great area for the community to gather for, you know, just sitting on a bench and talking,” Lee said. “For celebrating holidays and reunions and birthdays. We are just excited to be able to be a part of that.”
