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Simpson County and Franklin officials outline park upgrades, universal-playground fundraising
Summary
Parks Director Lisa Deavers said the county and city will use a $30,000 grant for an outdoor fitness court, plan phased purchases for a proposed universal playground after a $50,000 civic-group first reading, and identified larger maintenance needs including lighting estimated at $200,000–$300,000.
Lisa Deavers, Parks Director, told the Simpson County Fiscal Court and Franklin City Commission at a joint session on March 10 that several park improvements are planned, including a new outdoor fitness court funded in part by a $30,000 grant and a proposed, phased purchase of a universal playground.
Deavers said the dog park is open and that the fitness court “did receive the $30,000 grant to go towards the outdoor fitness court,” adding the court is expected to be finished by Memorial Day if weather permits. She told both governing bodies the playground near the Ag Building will be replaced to make room for the fitness court and that the existing accessible swing would be relocated along a walking trail.
The parks director described an ongoing civic-group effort that passed a first reading to donate $50,000 toward an inclusive playground. If that donation clears a second and final vote within the civic group, Deavers said the group will pursue an additional $300,000 through sponsor levels and community fundraisers, and that playground equipment would be purchased in phases as funds are raised.
Deavers also provided program and capital updates: senior fitness classes meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday and average about 50 participants; Nights of Lights remains community-funded and free to the public; recent small projects include 550 square feet of new sidewalk and a picnic shelter donated by American Legion Post 62. She said larger maintenance needs include replacement lighting for tennis/pickleball courts and a baseball field (estimated $200,000–$300,000), deterioration of batting cages, and potential replacement of the maintenance barn and the Ag Building roof.
During questions, Mayor Larry Dixon asked where the fitness court would be placed; Deavers answered it would replace the playground near the Ag Building and that the playground equipment would be moved. East Magistrate Marty Chandler asked whether the playground purchase would wait until the full $300,000 fundraising target was met; Deavers replied the purchase will be phased and that the civic group expects to organize community fundraisers and sponsor levels so the community has “buy in” as sections are added.
The park report concluded with Deavers requesting assistance for road repairs inside the park and noting personnel changes: a long-serving maintenance worker, Tim Cook, is nearing retirement and a new maintenance supervisor with over 20 years’ experience has been hired.
