Red Bank accepts Project Diabetes grant to build Godsey Ridge trail system — up to $402,300 reimbursable

Parks manager and grant coordinator Gravy told the commission the city has been awarded a Project Diabetes grant from the Tennessee Department of Health for up to $402,300 with no local match required. Gravy said the three‑year grant (FY26–FY28) will fund construction of the Godsey Ridge trail system and related amenities, including parking improvements at the community center, sidewalks and crosswalks with flashing beacons, curb cuts on Morrison Springs, and other connectivity work to link Red Bank City Park to Godsey Ridge and local schools. The nut graf: Staff said the city’s prior trail planning and a completed shovel‑ready design package — funded in part by Trust for Public Lands support — made the application highly competitive; Gravy said the department’s submission was among the strongest in the program’s 18‑year history and that the grant is reimbursable, with the city submitting monthly invoices for reimbursement. Gravy said the project will be phased: the first fiscal year would focus on trail construction with amenities and signage, the second year on parking lot repairs, and the third year on connectivity and sidewalks to complete ADA-compliant linkages. The grant contract is pending with the Tennessee Department of Health; staff said they have prepared an RFP for trail construction and will proceed to bid once the contract is executed and approved by the city attorney. Gravy said stakeholders including local nonprofits, the high school cross-country team, junior ROTC and active-adult groups contributed input to the design. Ending: The acceptance resolution (Resolution 25-1821) was on the consent agenda for regular-meeting approval. Staff said the grant is reimbursement-based and that the city will begin the RFP process for trail construction after contract execution.