TDEC announces 24 cities to share in $21M in LPRF grants

More than $21 million will go to 24 municipalities as part of 27 Local Parks and Recreation Fund (LPRF) grants recently announced across the state.  

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Office of Outdoor Recreation announced the $21,017,000  in funds, which will be matched by  local government investments for recreation projects and the purchase of land for parks, natural areas, greenways, and recreational facilities. All grant projects must be on publicly owned land. 

Arlington will receive $500,000 for installation of sports field lights at the existing multi-purpose fields at Forrest Street Park. Bartlett will receive $750,000 for construction of a new restroom and concession building to replace the existing structure, accessible pathways to connect all of the park amenities, accessible playground, and renovation and expansion of parking at Shadowland Park. 

Bean Station received $125,000 for upgrades to the existing playground area, parking, and two ballfields at City Park. Blaine received $75,000 for milling/resurfacing of the parking lot, striping and accessible parking, signage, park benches, and fence toppers for the ballfield at City Park. Dandridge received $500,000 for playground, restroom building, access paths, a shade structure, accessible parking and pickleball courts at Field of Dreams Playground. 

Erin received $50,000 for playground safety surfacing and accessibility upgrades at Betsy Ligon Park and Hensley Park. Harriman received $300,000 for improvements at the Community Center will include new flooring for the gymnasium, an HVAC system, and parking lot paving as well as improvements at Riverfront Park, which will include Phase I of the installation of new trail lighting. 

Hendersonville earned $3.38 million for pavilions, trails, event barn, welcome center, parking, nature playground at Heritage Park. Kingsport received $2.9 million Brickyard Park development of bike trails to include skills areas and natural surface trails and construction of a lighted parking lot expansion and accessibility as well as renovation of the lower level of the Nature Center, accessible pathway to event terrace, and a new otter habitat with accessible viewing and pathways at Bays Mountain Park.  

Lebanon will receive $350,000 to replace existing wading pool with 6,000-square-foot splashpad, accessible parking and pathways at Don Fox Park. McMinnville will receive $115,000 for a pavilion, paving of entrance, drive and parking lot, accessible paths, resurfacing of a multi-sport playing court, and kayak/boat ramp to access Barren Fork at Rocket Park. 

Milan received $375,000 for restrooms, concessions, and press-box structure, accessible pathways, and replacement of lighting on a ballfield at City Park. Nolensville received $1.2 million for pickleball/tennis court, basketball court, restroom building, multi-purpose field, parking, and walking trail at Sunset Park. 

Norris received $375,000 for the redevelopment of tennis courts into a new complex to including a tennis court, pickle ball courts, and a new outdoor basketball court, upgrades to the existing restroom, parking, and accessible pathways at Memorial Park. Oliver Springs garnered $29,000 for accessible pathways to the ballfields, concrete pads for the bleachers, and accessible seating areas, and LED security light replacements at Arrowhead Park. 

Rocky Top will receive $566,000 for upgrades of the existing restroom facility, replacements of bleacher structure with a press box on top, and accessibility features at Community Center Park. Saltillo will receive $44,000 for an accessible playground and surface material at City Park. Selmer will receive $356,000 for rehabilitation of basketball and tennis courts, restroom, and accessible pathways at City Park. 

Shelbyville will receive $2.5 million for the Phase I expansion at H.V. Griffin Park while Tennessee Ridge will receive $25,000 for accessibility upgrades including parking, access paths, playground safety surfacing, and playground border at City Park. Thompson's Station will receive $600,000 for the inclusive playground at Sara Benson Park. 

Tiptonville received $2 million for the renovation of armory into a multipurpose community center, baseball field renovation and parking lot resurfaced. Trenton received $553,000 for the Revitalization Phase 1at Shady Acres Park, which will include ballfield renovations/upgrades, drainage, restroom/concession facility, playground, pavilion, walking trail repairs, and a splash pad. White House received $65,000 for parking lot for dog park, renovate concession stand at baseball/softball quad, storage and meeting room building, shade structure, tennis courts, and site amenities at Municipal Park. 

Other awards included $200,000 for Houston County, $911,000 for Madison County, and $2.173 million for Williamson County. 

 “The LPRF program is a critical resource that the Office of Outdoor Recreation manages to help expand access to recreational opportunities in our local communities,” said Brian Clifford, director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation.  “These grants directly contribute to improving the quality of life, health, and economy in our cities and counties.”  

“Communities across the state need resources to provide Tennesseans with excellent recreational opportunities, and these grants support those projects,” said Greer Tidwell, deputy commissioner for the Bureau of Conservation at TDEC. “The grants and local teamwork our Tennessee legislators established in this funding program will continue to support many exciting new features at the local level.” 

For more information about the LPRF program and how to apply, visit: https://www.tn.gov/environment/outdoorrec.html