Red Bank to partner with White Oak Bicycle Co‑op on traffic-garden MOU; resolution introduced, no recorded vote

Parks staff introduced a resolution (No. 25‑1768) authorizing a memorandum of understanding with White Oak Bicycle Co‑op to create Red Bank’s first traffic garden on city‑owned asphalt at the Hixson Property.

Parks manager Mr. Gravy said the traffic garden is a scaled‑down street network where children and beginning riders practice bicycle handling and road‑safety skills in a car‑free environment. White Oak representatives Blake Pierce and Kat (staff) described prior programming and said White Oak would design and paint the course, lead scheduled programming and make the space available for public use when not programmed. The presenters said signs and small streetscape elements can be used and that the group typically shuts down vehicular access and places barriers during classes to ensure safety.

Mr. Gravy said the proposed site is the asphalt that connects the BND discount area to Fire Station 2 (referred to in the meeting as the Hixson Property), and the coop noted the existing strip is roughly 220 feet long; staff discussed the potential to expand into city‑owned adjacent areas to create a more varied skills course. White Oak said the organization registers participants through RecDesk for supervised classes and would secure the space during events. The resolution number was given (25‑1768) and White Oak emphasized safety measures, including blocking vehicle access for scheduled sessions. No formal vote on Resolution 25‑1768 was recorded in the work session transcript.

Commissioners and staff discussed prospects for activation, signage, portable traffic signs, and possible future expansion into a bicycle playground element. The commission heard that Knoxville and another location northeast of Nashville have traffic gardens; staff said few exist statewide.