Meadow Creek Park Could Get New Recreation Rental Opportunities

Monterey’s Meadow Creek Park could be the home of a new kayak and bicycle rental facility.

The Building and Grounds Committee discussed the opportunity for a partnership with Cookeville-based business Outdoor Experience at its meeting Wednesday evening. Cultural Administrator Rafferty Cleary said this kind of agreement between a city and a business could be the first of its kind in the area.

“Cookeville does their rentals in-house, the Army Corps probably has some type of deal with Canoe the Caney in DeKalb County,” Cleary said. “So this is sort of unique to the area. And I think it’s a great opportunity.”

Outdoor Experience Owner Heather Call said she has some 25 years of experience with outdoor recreation. She said she typically rents out the gear for individuals to take to their desired activity, but the Monterey location would serve as a set seasonal outpost at Meadow Creek Park.

Cleary said they will need to formalize an agreement between the city and Outdoor Experiences. He said that will include who is responsible for electricity, how to fairly split revenue, and what kind of structure the business will operate out of. The goal is to have the details finalized to start operation in time for this recreational season.

“I think it’s going to be a pretty big hit,” Cleary said. “I’m excited. And I’m glad Heather, you’ve got a lot of involvement out there. Heather does some trail building out there, she’s part of SORBA, and a lot of the folks who do business with you are out there every weekend, so this is another good example of partners working together to make good things happen out there.”

Preliminary discussions have the Outdoor Experience storing equipment using shipping containers to avoid constructing a permanent structure at Meadow Creek Park.

The Board of Aldermen will consider taking the next step at its meeting Monday night.