TDEC Awards Recreational Grants to Region

TDEC awarded  Upper Cumberland counties with recreational grants today, including Fentress, Van Buren and Jackson County.

TDEC approved two different Local Parks and Recreation Fund grants for Fentress County.

A 200 thousand dollar grant will go towards renovating the existing Jamestown pool. The grant includes a project to add a pool with a zero entry design and splash pad components.

Another 225 thousand dollar Local Parks and Recreation Fund grant will provide Fentress County the ability to develop a baseball field with a fence, restrooms, maintenance room, concession stand, parking and street lighting.  The grant can fund grading for a soccer field as well.

All Local Parks and Recreation Fund grants require a 50 percent match.

Van Buren County received a 100 thousand dollar Recreational Trails Program grant for Fall Creek Falls State Park. The funding will go towards resurfacing the Lake Trail along the lakefront. The grant money also allows an expansion of the parking area on the end of the trail adjacent to the dam. The grant also includes the addition of an ADA parking space.

Cummins Falls in Jackson County also received a Recreational Trails Program grant for 200 thousand dollars. The Cummins Falls project includes construction of an ADA compliant overlook.

Recreational Trails Program grants require a 20 percent match.

Awarded amounts total to 725 thousand dollars for the three counties.