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Piperton board approves $34,400 contract for park walking trail design
Summary
The Piperton Parks and Recreation Advisory Board unanimously approved hiring DT Design Studio to design a walking trail and lighting system for the city park, awarding the firm a $34,400 contract that is below the $41,820 budgeted in the TDEC trails grant; staff warned the grant process will be slow and outlined next steps including safety measures and fund‑raising.
The Piperton Parks and Recreation Advisory Board unanimously voted June 9 to hire DT Design Studio to design a walking trail and lighting system for the city park, awarding the firm a $34,400 contract that is below the grant‑budgeted amount.
Public Works Director Richard Mills told the board that the city advertised a request for qualifications and received a single response from DT Design Studio at a total bid of $34,400. "This is a four year grant to install a trail system; it is extremely slow moving," Mills said, adding that the city budgeted $41,820 for architect/engineer services in the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) trails grant and that the DT Design bid is well under that figure.
Mills said the city has retained Mid‑South Development District to help administer the TDEC grant because of its many requirements, and that staff will submit the recommendation to the city mayor and board on June 23 before Mid‑South forwards the package to TDEC. Mills cautioned that TDEC scheduling could slow the timeline but does not prevent the firm from continuing design work.
Board members asked about what the contract does and does not cover. Vice‑Mayor Mike Binkley asked whether the price was turn‑key; Mills said the bid includes exceptions listed on page three of the firm’s submission. Mills also outlined planned site work: building a bridge over the spillway, addressing dirt work around the levee, removing dead trees near the lake, and coordinating with the University of Tennessee Extension (Somerville) on fishery timing. He said the university recommended waiting until fall to open bass fishing. Mills noted that Herbie Systems is treating aquatic weeds in the lake.
Safety around water was raised by new board member Helen Peterson, who asked whether measures are in place to keep children away from the lake. Mills said the city will need to install fencing along the north side of the lake adjacent to the railroad tracks and that signage such as “no swimming” will be part of later discussions. Mayor Henry Coats said the city will develop signage and an entryway with general precautions and that he plans to solicit business donations for park amenities such as an amphitheater and restrooms to accelerate construction alongside grant work.
The board approved DT Design Studio on a motion by Blair Etz, seconded by Helen Peterson; the vote was unanimous. Earlier in the meeting the board also adopted the meeting agenda and approved the May 12 minutes, both by unanimous votes. Blair Etz moved to adjourn at 5:47 p.m.; Kim Thompson seconded.
Next steps: if the mayor and city board approve the recommendation at their June 23 meeting, staff will forward the package to Mid‑South Development District for submission to TDEC and proceed with design work, site visits and safety planning while awaiting further grant approval.
