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Johnson City, Rotary Foundation sign MOU for $420,000 bicycle playground at Lower Tannery Knobs
Summary
The commission reviewed a memorandum of understanding with the Rotary Foundation to build a bicycle playground at Lower Tannery Knobs; the Rotary has raised $420,000 including $200,000 from a state First Frontier Trail allocation and $50,000 from the local Rotary club. City public works will provide parking, restroom and a pavilion.
The Johnson City Board of Commissioners reviewed a memorandum of understanding on Nov. 6 between the Rotary Foundation and the city for construction of a bicycle playground at Lower Tannery Knobs.
Assistant City Manager Steve Willis said the Rotary Foundation has raised approximately $420,000 toward the build. He said $170,000 of that total came through private donations, $50,000 from the local Rotary group and $200,000 from a state First Frontier Trail allocation designated by the governor. Willis said that if there are leftover funds after construction, Rotary will transfer them into a maintenance fund. The city will provide in‑kind work including parking, restroom facilities and a pavilion, and Parks & Recreation will help with construction oversight in conjunction with Rotary.
Willis described the playground as a skills and progression area aimed primarily at younger riders to help them advance to more difficult trails on the Tannery ridge; city staff said the facility will also serve families. Parks staff and commissioners praised the volunteer and staff effort to build a durable amenity and noted anticipated benefits for youth recreation and trail progression.
Why it matters: The project adds a family‑oriented recreation asset and strengthens public‑private partnership funding for parks infrastructure. The presence of in‑kind city work and a Rotary‑backed maintenance fund reduces long‑term maintenance uncertainty.
What was not resolved: The transcript records fundraising totals and the MOU description; a final construction schedule and timeline dependent on winter weather were not finalized in the meeting.
