Haslam awards $6.6M to state Parks and Rec departments
 
(WBIR) Governor Bill Haslam and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) doled out more than $6 million Tuesday to help fund various Parks and Recreation projects in Tennessee, including 13 projects around East Tennessee.

In all, 42 projects will receive a total of $6.6 million for maintenance or upkeep of nature areas, such as parks and greenways. The grants are part of the Local Parks and Recreation Fund, which was created in 1991.

Thirteen cities or counties in East Tennessee received funding this year:

  • City of Maryville - $250,000 for a renovation of the John Sevier Pool
  • City of LaFollette - $128,000 to convert a tennis court at Liberty Park into a skate park; and replacing playground equipment and surfacing material at the Dr. Lee Sergeant Park
  • City of Blaine - $20,000 for various supplies including upgrading restrooms to comply with ADA standards, as well as buying new playground equipment and picnic tables
  • City of Greeneville - $125,000 to the Splash Park, which will replace an existing swimming pool and other water features
  • Town of Church Hill - $183,000 toward buying 65 acres of land for a new park
  • Town of Farragut - $43,000 for a new piece of playground equipment, to install ADA-compliant surfacing, and to install LED lighting at Mayor Bob Leonard Park
     
  • City of Lenoir City - $250,000 for the development of a new park and parking lot
     
  • Town of Englewood - $50,000 for equipment upgrades at the Englewood Public Pool, including ADA accessibility
  • City of Etowah - $50,000 toward a new splash pad and a hard surface for trails to comply with ADA standards
  • City of Niota - $25,000 to replace playground equipment and a new playground surface, and implement ADA site improvements
  • City of Kingston - $250,000 to create a new baseball field, soccer fields, a basketball court, a playground, restrooms and a parking lot
  • City of Gatlinburg - $98,000 to create an ADA compliant playground at Miller Park, and for new lights at the track/football field
  • City of Luttrell - $100,000 for a new parking lot, to resurface and extend a walking trail, and for new lighting

Each recipient of the grant must match 50% of the money coming from the state.

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8/6/14