NASHVILLE — The cities of East Ridge and South Pittsburg as well as Rhea, Grundy and McMinn counties will see a combined $6.4 million in state funding for local parks and recreation projects, Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation said in a news release.
The money is part of $26.5 million the state is awarding to 32 communities statewide.
"From Mountain City to Memphis, our state is blessed with natural beauty and rich resources," Lee said in a news release. "These investments are critical in providing outdoor experiences for Tennesseans to enjoy for generations to come, and I appreciate the Tennessee General Assembly's partnership in this effort."
East Ridge will receive $400,000, with the tax dollars going toward improvements at the the East Ridge Community Center, which has a gym, splash pad and other amenities. The new funds will provide money for two youth basketball courts and a full-size regulation court.
"These additions to the East Ridge Community Center will provide even more valuable recreational opportunities for residents to enjoy," state Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes, R-East Ridge, who also serves as the city's vice mayor, said in the release.
Projects paid for with the state funding will encourage physical activity and help bring the community together, state Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, said in the release.
"Sports and other physical activities promote a healthier lifestyle by fighting childhood obesity, improving immune function and resulting in better overall mental and physical health," Gardenhire said. "I appreciate the local officials who worked to secure these funds for our community."
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Funding for all the projects come through the state's Local Parks and Recreation Fund, which is administered by the Department of Environment and Conservation's Division of Recreation Resources. The money may be used for the purchase of land for parks, natural areas, greenways and recreational facilities.
The Local Parks and Recreation Fund is a competitive grant program and provides funds via reimbursements for awarded projects with qualified expenses.
The awarded entity is responsible for "equally matching the grant amount," TDEC spokesperson Kim Schofinski said in an email responding to a question posed by the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
East Ridge hopes to amend its application to include a request for an additional $200,000, which would bring its total from $400,000 to $600,000, Helton-Haynes said by phone Friday.
"We're enlarging our community center to make our basketball courts regulation-size," she said. "Right now, they're not, so we can't have competitions," Helton-Haynes said.
She said plans include upgrading the senior center, make restrooms Americans with Disabilities Act accessible and upgrade the kitchen, which Helton said is like one in a home, to make more of a commercial-size facility.
"We have put in for an amendment, I don't know whether we'll get it or not," Helton-Haynes added.
New Rhea County recreation area
Rhea County will receive $1.57 million for a new recreation facility, the Abel Sports Complex. The complex will be at555 Delaware Ave. in Dayton.
Complex features will include ADA-compliant restrooms, ADA-compliant parking, an ADA-compliant multiuse nonmotorized track and construction of five rectangular fields for soccer.
"Rhea County is absolutely thrilled to be receiving the Abel Sports Complex, thanks to the investment being made by TDEC," state Rep. Ron Travis, R-Dayton, said in the release. "This new space will provide new opportunities for individuals and families of all ages to play, relax and create lasting memories. Our community anticipates its completion and is eager to enjoy its state-of-the-art facilities.
State Sen. Adam Lowe, R-Calhoun, also praised the grant award.
"I am very pleased funding has been awarded to create a new sports complex in Rhea County and upgrades to sports fields in McMinn County," Lowe, R-Calhoun, whose district includes Rhea, said in the release.
New park for Grundy County
Another $1.94 million has been awarded to Grundy County to establish a 23.74-acre park to be called the "Miracle on the Mountain Play Outside Park." Plans call for an estimated 20,600-square-foot inclusive playground on state Route 108 in Coalmont. Project funding includes purchase of land, poured-in-place safety surfacing/artificial turf, a decorative metal fence and grading for a parking lot
State Rep. Rush Bricken, R-Tullahoma, called the new park an "incredible win" for Grundy.
"Through TDEC's grant, we will be able to enjoy our city and county to the fullest, while bringing our community closer to each other, and the outdoors, than ever before," he said in the release.
Calling parks a "very important part" of communities, state Sen. Janice Bowling, R-Tullahoma, said in the release the funding for the Grundy County and other projects will "improve the quality of life for our citizens, and promote outdoor activity.
New park for South Pittsburg
The city of South Pittsburg gets $1.57 million for the creation of a 16.2 acre park to be called River Park. It's slated to be on U.S. Highway 72 with access via Willow Avenue. Funding will go toward engineering, permitting, site preparation, electrical servicing, water/sewer connections, a driveway and parking lot, sidewalks, a kayak launch, dog park, event lawn/sitting grove and sports field. Other dollars are going to restrooms, stormwater vegetation/drainage and signage.
"Providing quality recreational opportunities for residents to enjoy is very important," state Rep. Iris Rudder, R-Winchester, said in the release. The addition of River Park to South Pittsburg will provide more green space for the health and enjoyment of our citizens for generations to come. I am tremendously grateful for TDEC's support and for the leadership of our local partners on this project."
Bowling praised the project as well.
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McMinn County park improvements
Another $630,000 has been awarded to McMinn County for improvements at McMinn County Bicentennial Park. The improvements will include new outfield netting, a new field that will be turfed and striped, the installation of underground drainage, turf for the remaining outfields on Field 3 and overhead netting.
"The McMinn County Bicentennial Park is an incredible asset to our community," House Assistant Majority Leader Mark Cochran, R-Englewood, said in the release. "These improvements will further enhance the park and the great recreational opportunities that it offers. I congratulate the county on receiving this grant, and I look forward to these upgrades being completed."
Ballparks offer an opportunity for children and adults to get active and make lasting memories, Lowe said.
"I appreciate the work done by our local officials in submitting a successful grant application and look forward to seeing the improvements," Lowe said.
Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-285-9480.