Elrod Park, Bradley County’s new multi-million-dollar recreation project, is a work in progress. The project is slowly advancing to the beginning of construction.
Bradley County Parks and Recreation Director Paul Wyrick and Mayor D. Gary Davis say the permitting process for preliminary site work has been finalized and the bidding process for the work is ready to proceed.
It is anticipated the site work will begin in August. This work includes mass grading, leveling, construction of detention areas and roads throughout the property. It is hoped this portion of the project will be completed by the end of the year.
This work is included in Phase I of the Elrod Park Recreation Project. It will mark the start of development of the upscale recreation complex.
Some funding is available, and the county received a $400,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). These state funds will be provided when permitting is completed. It is expected that preliminary site work will cost around $600,000.
Bradley County and the Bradley County school system are working in partnership on the complex and the new Park View Elementary School on the south side of the old Doug Elrod farm property. Park View students and staff will utilize the amenities of the recreation complex.
The county purchased the 76 acres from the Elrod family, a former Bradley County property assessor, for just under $1 million (approximately $900,000). Funding for this purchase came from interest earned from money invested by the county from the sale of Bradley Memorial Hospital in 2005.
Sixty-two acres of the property is located along the east side of Minnis Road with the north boundary along Old Powerline Lane. A parcel on the south side of this tract was provided to the school system for the new elementary school, eliminating the need to purchase property for the new school.
There is 14 acres of the property to the west side of Minnis Road, but the county has not yet designated a specific use for this parcel at this time. The terrain of this property limits possibilities.
Mayor Davis emphasized that the development of the recreation complex is a long-term proposition. Once site work is completed, additional phases will be scheduled for the playing fields, playground, pavilion, walking trails, fishing lake and other possibilities.
Davis anticipates some fundraising, donations and sponsorships, in addition to what appropriations the county will be able to provide. “Development of the Bradley North Park on Eureka Road was the same type of project,” the mayor said.
The latest plan for the huge recreation complex includes construction of two full-size soccer fields, a partial soccer field and micro fields to the east of the new elementary school in the southeast corner of the property. Adult softball fields are planned for the northeast corner, at the intersection of Minnis Road and Old Powerline Lane.
Original plans for the recreation complex included a community center, but now the gymnasium at Park View Elementary can be used for meetings and other recreation events.
A wetland area cuts diagonally through the property from the southwest to the northeast. Plans for the middle section and the northeast corner include an expansive playground, a fishing lake, pavilion and walking trails. Wyrick suggested the wetland area could serve as an ecological classroom for Park View students.
It is hoped Phase II of the Elrod Park project can begin in 2011, but funding has yet to be determined. The first step of Phase II will probably be construction of the soccer complex, which the elementary school and Parks and Recreation can utilize for multiple activities.
This turfed area could be used for physical education (by Park View Elementary), and/or youth football practice by the Parks and Recreation Department. Other events requiring a turfed area can also be scheduled.
