NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Chris Todd, R-Madison County, today announced $911,000 in state funding for several parks in Madison County.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) will administer the grant through the Local Parks and Recreation Fund (LPRF), which was approved by members of the Tennessee General Assembly this year in the 2024-25 state budget.
“This important investment into Madison County will improve the accessibility of our parks and provide more options for residents to enjoy recreational activities,” Todd said. “Our community is blessed with several exceptional parks and community gathering spaces, and I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of these significant projects.”
The LPRF grant will help fund the following projects:
- Pugh Bourne Park’s parking areas and access roads will be paved to enhance Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility and traffic flow. The grant will also help fund a new ADA-accessible splash pad and community activity building to replace the old horse stall.
- The parking areas and entryways of H. Leroy Pope Park will be paved to improve traffic and ADA accessibility.
- Godwin Park will receive new ADA-accessible restrooms and an ADA-accessible pavilion. The park’s parking area and entry road will also be paved.
- Beech Bluff Recreation Center will receive an ADA-accessible playground and pavilion.
- The grant will also be used for the Eva Mae Greer/Van Lawson Talley Park, which is a new development using 53 acres of donated land. Funds will go toward a new ADA-accessible playground, construction of a picnic pavilion and restroom facilities, paved parking, security fences, park benches, and other amenities.
City and county governments can receive LPRF grants for trail development and capital projects in parks, greenways and natural areas. Additionally, the funds can be used to purchase land for eligible projects. The state’s funding matches local government investments to help expand access to outdoor opportunities and improve quality of life for Tennesseans.
More than $21 million in grants to 27 communities across Tennessee was allocated by the LPRF. For more information on the grant program, please visit: https://www.tn.gov/environment/outdoorrec.html