Crossville city council agreed to move
forward with the planned redevelopment of Garrison Park while the
city plans to keep the perimeter fence around the park and the so
called Field “A” intact.
The city received a $500,000 grant
toward the project to remove the late 1940's grandstand, put in a
playground, a splash pad, a new basketball court and a rest room.
The city is to match the state funds for the total cost of $1 million
for phase one of the project. It is unclear if or when additional
work might be done on the park.
Initial design plan for Garrison Park improvements
The action on the June agenda was a
budget amendment for the current fiscal year to move forward with
contracts for design and grant administration. Council members Danny
Wyatt and Pamala Harris both expressed concern about the need to
retain the fence around the park and the larger ball field at the
park.
L-R: City manager Geg Wood, council members J.H. Graham
and Danny Wyatt, Mayor James Mayberry and council members
Pamala Harris and Scot Shanks.
The item was pulled out of the consent
agenda for separate action and discussion by councilman J. H. Graham
and councilman Danny Wyatt addressed his concerns saying, “I'm all
about building this park over there but I want it done correctly.”
Wyatt mentioned the fence around the park and said it would be very
expensive to replace.
Entrance to Garrison Park
The other item Wyatt sought
clarification on is the ability to leave Field A since it is part of
the second phase of the project that is not currently funded or under
consideration. Wyatt also questioned why if the grandstand was part
of Field A was it part of this project.
Mayor James Mayberry responded, “The
bleachers were one of the biggest health and safety issues with the
whole deal and why it was a priority.”
Councilwoman Pamala Harris said her
biggest concern was if there was a guarantee that the city could
conserve Field A and conserve the fence. “I'm just uncomfortable
unless I know these things can be saved,” added Harris.
Check the great lineup of vehicles at
Mayor Mayberry said that he had a
verbal assurance that the state would use common sense about the
safety provided by the perfectly good fence and there should be no
reason to remove it. Mayberry added that he had been to the
Tennessee Municipal League meeting and found out that park designers
like to have parks feel more open without fences but that safety is a
concern.
Mayberry said that with the removal of
the grandstand a backstop fence would be required as well.
Discussion of a possible big tournament
in the Fall came up and it was estimated that no work on the field
would start before the first of 2018 and the grant funds must be used
within 2 years.
Video of council discussion on Garrison Park
With one final reading still to go, the
city will request an answer in writing by a special called meeting on
June 29th when the final reading is expected to take place along with
the final reading of the 2017-18 budget.
With that, Mr. Wyatt made the motion to
approve contingent on getting an answer by the third reading and was
supported by Mr. Graham and the motion passed unanimously.
The longtime park has been the location
of a baseball field since the 1920's according to property records
and at one time was the location where the Cumberland County Fair was
held.
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