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Maury County and Columbia Bicentennials Inspire Reflection- Landowners Preserve Green Space Through Conservation Easement
- Columbia Businessman Collects Old Fords
- Maury County Is Home to Many Historic Plantations
- Historic Church Will Be Converted to Polk Presidential Hall
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- Culleoka Craftsman Creates Intricate, Whimsical Figures From Peach Pits
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Recreation
Maury County Recreation Improvements Include Walking Trails, Gardens and a New Pool
The Duck River Walk is a peaceful place to spend the day outdoors.
From swings and slides to soccer and softball‚ Maury County has plenty of parks and recreation facilities to keep residents happy and healthy.
Even so‚ several parks are in the midst of adding new amenities.
A new pool is slated to open Memorial Day weekend at Fairview Park in Columbia‚ says Diane Drake‚ the city parks director.
She adds that programs at the new Ridley Park Sports Complex should begin in fall 2007. Located off of Oakland Parkway‚ the youth sportsplex will include softball and football fields‚ a concession area and a splash park‚ with more attractions to come during the later phases of construction.
“I think it’s going to bring revenues‚ more interest to the city and maybe even more residents‚” Drake says. “It will also give the public and the community more recreation outlets. It’s going to be a fun asset to the city and the surrounding communities.”
Another highly anticipated project is the Duck River Walk‚ backed by a $6.2 million federal funding package.
“Its main intent is to connect the downtown area to the river‚” explains Jim Fuller‚ city engineer.
Fuller says the five-phase trail will eventually span about 2.2 miles and include canoe launch and pick-up sites‚ observation points and an amphitheater.
“The little piece of a trail that already exists is so serene and peaceful‚” Fuller says. “I think (the completed project) will bring exposure and attention to a beautiful asset.”
A handicapped-accessible garden of the senses also is in the works at Columbia’s Maury County Park.
Tony Scott‚ former director of the county’s parks and recreation‚ passed away from Lou Gehrig’s disease‚ but his memory will live on in the gardens at Tony’s Trail.
“The whole concept was his idea‚” says Sonjalyn Rine‚ recreation specialist for Maury County Parks and Recreation.
Easily accessible to people in wheelchairs‚ Tony’s Trail will feature paved paths through themed gardens that address each of the five senses.
From a garden with arbors of fragrant plants to a hearing garden with babbling water sounds‚ the trail is sure to be a unique attraction‚ Rine says. She looks forward to the frost-proof raised garden‚ where visitors can grow fruits and vegetables.
“People who had gardened in the past or those who never had the opportunity to garden will now have access‚” Rine says.
“That was our goal‚” she adds. “Not to meet the criteria of accessibility but to exceed it.”
Of course‚ Maury County residents already enjoy an array of attractions‚ from spelunking at Southport Saltpeter Cave in Culleoka to teeing off at golf courses in Columbia‚ Mount Pleasant and Spring Hill.
“Dulcimer classes‚ clogging lessons and dog obedience training are some of our ongoing programs‚” Rine says.
Story by Jessy Yancey
Photo by Wes Aldridge
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