Residents urge accurate park naming and promote candidates forum; board discusses greenway tree restoration

Two citizens used the Farragut board’s public-comment period on July 9 to raise community issues.

Jenny Borkalski, a Bel Air neighborhood resident, urged turnout for a candidates forum on July 13 at the Farragut Community Center and asked all candidates to participate so residents can evaluate platforms and policies. “This forum is an opportunity for the residents of our Farragut community to listen and learn about our neighbors who are running for office,” she said.

Diane Hall spoke about a local-historical concern related to a town video and the working name used for a planned park site. Reading a post from local historian Mona Belle Smith, Hall said the video’s reference to the “Red Mill Dam” is geographically inaccurate and urged the town to verify historical maps before the park is officially named. Town administrator Merrill said staff had received the historian’s materials, were independently verifying the information, and that the board would have the opportunity to name the park when the project is finalized.

Separately, Alderman McCain relayed resident concern about substantial tree loss along the Grigsby Chapel greenway tied to sewer-pipe replacement work. Staff acknowledged the visual damage created during construction, said the easement will be restored with grass and stabilization, and noted opportunities to replant seedlings (including dogwood donations the town coordinates through Dogwood Arts) to restore canopy over time.

Town administrator Merrill also announced a July 24 “Party in the Park” event at McPhee Park Splash Pad from 6 to 8 p.m.