NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Rick Eldridge, R-Morristown, has announced that $200,000 in state grant funding will be used for park improvements in Grainger County.
The grant is part of $21 million in funding awarded to communities across the state from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) Local Parks and Recreation Fund (LPRF). It was approved by members of the Tennessee General Assembly this year in the 2024-25 state budget.
“Parks provide valuable recreational opportunities for our community,” Eldridge said. “These improvements will increase accessibility and provide additional ways for residents to remain physically active. I congratulate all of the recipients and look forward to the positive impact these projects will have in Grainger County.”
Local grant recipients include:
- City of Blaine: $75,000 for milling/resurfacing of the parking lot, striping and accessible parking, signage, park benches and fence toppers for the ballfield at the city park
- Town of Bean Station: $125,000 for upgrades to the existing playground area, parking and two ballfields at the city park
The LPRF program provides state funding to match local government investments for recreation projects and the purchase of land for parks, natural areas, greenways and recreational facilities. All grant projects must be on publicly owned land.
Additional information regarding the LPRF program can be found here.
State Rep. Rick Eldridge represents House District 10, which includes Grainger and part of Hamblen counties.