The City of Goodlettsville Board of Commissioners, at the July regularly scheduled meeting, approved a resolution authorizing the execution of a Local Parks and Recreation Fund (LPRF) Grant between the State of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and the City of Goodlettsville for the purpose of constructing an all-inclusive playground.
The TDEC grant is in the amount of $437,500, and it requires a 50-percent match from the City of Goodlettsville. The total amount needed to build the playground is 1.2 million dollars, so the remaining funds needed will be fundraised. The grant contract will be effective on August 15, 2022, at which point work may begin.
Locally known as Rachel’s Garden, as that will be the name of the future all-inclusive playground, the project was inspired by the Goodlettsville Fire Department’s non-profit organization and Goodlettsville Parks and Recreation’s desire to find a way to development a place where children of all abilities can play together. Once the two departments aligned their goals and combined efforts, they were full force ahead with fundraising efforts.
“The City of Goodlettsville has been fortunate to have been awarded several LPRF Grants through TDEC over the past years,” Sarah Jennings, Director of Goodlettsville Parks and Recreation, said. “Grants such as these support the continued investment into parks and recreation agencies across our state, helping cities like Goodlettsville serve the changing needs of their communities.”
“We are grateful for the community, the Fire Department’s non-profit, and the city being able to come together to get this project off the ground,” Tim Ellis, Goodlettsville City Manager, said. “Each one has been a crucial part of the success of what’s to come in Rachel’s Garden. The City of Goodlettsville, its Board of Commissioners and all of our employees are so proud to support this project.”
Rachel’s Garden all-inclusive playground will be built at Peay Park behind the Delmas Long Community Center. The playground area will be 9,231 sq. ft. and will be enclosed within a fenced area of approximately 420 linear feet. It will include the playground and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant parking and access.