Exciting Upgrades Coming to Parks in Hendersonville
Hendersonville, a lovely suburb just outside Nashville, is buzzing with excitement over some fantastic news! The city has announced it will embark on a remarkable $3.8 million upgrade project, which includes a new event barn, a cycling track, and a welcoming center at two of its beloved city parks. It’s going to be a game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts and families alike!
Grant Funds Fuel the Transformation
The exciting plans take flight thanks to nearly $3.8 million in state grants. The first chunk of this funding comes from a 392,000-dollar grant designated for Veterans Park. This amount will be used to create a new pump track, which is a paved cycling path featuring a series of hills and berms for biking enthusiasts.
According to Hendersonville Parks and Recreation Director Andy Gilley, this new addition may not be something the park was known for before, but cycling is quickly becoming a hot trend in the area. “Cycling is not necessarily popular at Veterans Park, but it is something that’s becoming more and more popular in our city,” Gilley noted. He believes this pump track will provide an exciting complement to the existing skate park right next door. Plus, it offers residents a fantastic way to connect to the city’s extensive greenway system.
A Vision for Heritage Park
Now, let’s shift our focus to the additional $3.4 million headed toward upgrading Heritage Park, which is the transformed Batey Farm property. The city acquired this approximately 73-acre expanse back in 2022, intending to turn it into a community-friendly park. There has been quite a journey to get to this point, as the project has faced several delays.
The lower portion of the land was bought by the city for 3 million dollars in 2018, and the Friends of Indian Lake Peninsula, a local nonprofit, worked hard to secure the upper section, which they purchased for 1 million dollars. This operation has been crucial in preserving this beautiful piece of land for everyone in the area.
Building Dreams into Reality
Gilley shared his personal connection to this park, stating, “I was an alderman when we bought Heritage Park, so to be the parks director when we get to see this park build-out is a really full-circle kind of moment for me.” And what a build-out it will be! The park is set to feature a variety of exciting amenities, such as pavilions, trails, a nature playground, a welcome center, and, of course, the event barn that’s sure to be the talk of the town for parties and celebrations in the coming years.
Community Input Matters
The final master plan for Heritage Park was not developed in a vacuum; it was shaped through numerous community meetings and discussions with city officials. Gilley reflected on this collaborative effort, stating, “That was a lot of work put in by the community and by several aldermen to basically preserve that last piece of undeveloped property on the Indian Lake Peninsula.” This park will truly belong to the entire city of Hendersonville.
Future Plans
As the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has announced these grants, Gilley shared that Hendersonville officials hope to finalize the contracts with TDEC by the end of the year. Once this is completed, construction is expected to kick off in early 2025. Gilley also mentioned that the anticipated construction on both Veteran Park and Heritage Park could take up to three years to complete.
The Friends nonprofit group has already started working on the upper part of Heritage Park and has made great strides in constructing trails. We can look forward to even more fantastic trail options as city officials work to design paths on the city-owned property. “There may be grass trails in some places, mulch-chip trails in others, and concrete walking paths in certain areas,” Gilley explained, sharing the upcoming diversity in trail styles.
A Bright Future Awaits
With such incredible enhancements on the horizon, Hendersonville is set to become an even more inviting and active community for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and cyclists alike. Stay tuned, Hendersonville! The future is looking bright, and we can’t wait to witness the transformation of these parks into vibrant spaces cherished by all.
