Jackson County Looks to Create Master Plan for Recreation

Community Leaders from around Jackson County attended an open forum Wednesday night to discuss a master plan for recreation.

Botanical gardens to tractor pulls were discussed as ideas to draw people into the county. County Mayor Randy Heady said the plan over the next 10 years, needs to be finding the missing piece between Granville and Cummins Falls.

“How do we get them on up to Gainesboro and connect the dots, that’s what our conversation was about yesterday,” Heady said. “Getting them here, putting that one piece at Roaring River Park that would make the loop solidified.”

Heady said the next step is making an online push to see what residents what for the county. Heady said there will be online questionnaires and open houses so the community can drive the plan.

“This is an opportunity for us to see a vision 10 years down the road,” Heady said. “That improves the quality of life for the residents of Jackson county and that’s the first and foremost important thing, revenue driver comes afterwards.”

A day later, there were ideas that stuck out for Heady. While Heady said he does not want to drive the conversation, some ideas from community leaders and business owners stood out.

“Some of the ideas that came out yesterday was a splash pad, was a playground at an area in Roaring River Park,” Heady said. “A botanical garden was talked about, the historic piece was huge, something that tells our history.”

Previously, the county gave a tour Wednesday to Ragan-Smith, a land planning firm. Kevin Guenther with Ragan-Smith led the discussion Wednesday night.

Ultimately, the goal for Jackson County is creating a 10 year plan to present to TDEC.