LOUDON, Tenn. — After years of study and analysis, the city of Loudon finally presented its findings and opened the floor for discourse regarding sprawling plans to improve and expand the existing city park system.
Employing the consultants at Kimley Horn, the leaders have been hard at work deciphering the results of a survey that was conducted citywide — imploring the public for its most desired services and amenities in those public spaces.
TACKLING THE CHALLENGES
Among the largest categories of recommendations were more biking and walking trails, sports leagues and fields, youth-friendly programs and community events.
While weaknesses like a smaller employee base, lack of public communication and aging facilities were addressed, the city of Loudon has ample space and resources to tackle the challenges its currently facing.
“In terms of space, Loudon is in the best spot to be in,” said Ashley Akers, landscape architect at Kimley Horn.
According to Akers, Loudon Municipal alone currently has more than 100 acres of inaccessible, underutilized land that could become an extension of the park should the right plan go into place.
It was one of the many bright spots found in this assessment. …
IMPROVING EXISTING FACILITIES, MORE
The main focus of the plans moving forward are refurbishment of the previously mentioned Loudon Municipal Park as well as Legion Park. Both saw a significant number of suggestions from residents and consultants as to how the space could best be used.
Splash pads, boat and fishing docks in Legion Park, basketball courts, more walking trails and sporting fields were all among the listed suggestions. Growth in the current recreation leagues, from children to adult level, is also a big ask from residents.
But the spotlight remains on improvement of current facilities before any investment is made in new infrastructure. … While Loudon is currently sitting on lots of potential park ground, the property they currently utilize could see more renovation in the not-so-far-off future.
Amenities like LED lights across athletic fields and parking lots, expanding the existing community pool, and devising a long-term maintenance plan for athletic fields that would include flood prevention are all being workshopped.
STAFF AND MAINTENANCE
A big component of that upkeep is staff and maintenance.
While Akers sang the praises of the current five members of the Parks and Recreation staff, she also pointed out that they were well under the bandwidth of a city with this much space.
New hires are expected to be considered as the department moves forward.
From a machine power perspective, the department is looking at equipment for all season maintenance, infield grooming and more utility vehicles to keep up with the demand in light of a small staff.
ABOVE AND BEYOND THE ANALYSTS …
But the recommendations for refurbishment aren’t solely coming from an analyst group in Nashville.
Besides the public survey that got sent out to residents at the beginning of this process, every poster board left blank space for attendees to etch in their own suggestions on how to better use the land their taxpayer dollars help sustain.
More connectivity with walkways between parks, and a less heat-absorbing surface than poured-in concrete were just a few of the notes jotted down throughout the evening.
“We really tried to listen to the residents,” Akers said. “We’re trying to listen to their feedback and realize how important the parks are.”
In its totality, all the new implementations and revamps of current facilities are valued at around $3.5 million — though the projects will most likely be completed in phases and the plan is to break up the cost over the next five years.
The full, in-depth survey conducted by Kimley Horn will be available on the city of Loudon website within the coming weeks.
While no plans have been made yet, Loudon City Council members will likely begin discussions around their parks in future meetings as local leadership heads into the new fiscal year.
