Kimley-Horn Associates presents preliminary West Park options

Options vary from emphasis on luring tournaments to multi-purpose and event space

The Murfreesboro City Council and the Murfreesboro Parks & Recreation Commission heard the latest information Thursday on preliminary concept options for development of a West Park at I-840 and Veterans Parkway in the Blackman community.

Kimley-Horn Associates, Inc., the consultant contracted with the City to develop the 123-acre park, outlined three options:  Option 1 A, Option 1B and Option 2.  Each option includes neighborhood park elements as well as differing amounts of athletic fields.  All three designs provide walking trails, playgrounds, splash pads, and pavilions and multi-purpose space but to differing degrees.

• Option 1 A would create 17 athletic fields focused on fields for softball and baseball, event space, and multi-use courts to specialize space for attracting large championship tournaments.

• Option 1 B would create 13 athletic fields focused on infields for softball and baseball, event space and an interactive water feature.

• Option 2 provides more walking trails, event space and more multi-purpose athletic fields but fewer softball and baseball fields for championship sports.

Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Director Jackson encouraged the Commission and Council to suggest hybrid options, stressing that the concept plans are only preliminary and that the department is not wedded to the three options presented.

The Parks and Recreation Commission is expected to discuss options at their regularly scheduled meeting on March 1 and consider a recommendation to council.

On Jan. 24, 2017, the Murfreesboro Parks & Recreation Department and Kimley-Horn Associates, Inc. held a public meeting at Blackman High School to gather input on features citizens would like to see in the new park.  More than 800 residents participated in the public meeting to provide citizens input.  The list of most requested features were as follows:

1. Walking trails
2. Water feature
3. Playground
4. Pavilion
5. Event space
6. Dog park   (not included in designs)
7. Multi-purpose
8. Skate park  (not included in designs)
9. Community garden (not included in designs)
10. Disc golf  (not included in designs)
11.  Field space

All three concepts included six of the top eight features.  While neither a skate park nor dog park is currently included in the options, the City believes other locations may be more appropriate and should be planned for in the future.

In June 2016, City Council purchased a 123-acre parcel of land bordered by Blackman Road, Burnt Knob Road, Veterans Parkway, and I-840 in the Blackman area known as the McDonald farm property for development of a West Park.

The Parks Department has previously indicated that the City of Murfreesboro is short of recreational fields, including soccer, baseball and softball fields, according to National Recreation and Parks Association standards.

Kimley-Horn’s team of engineering, architectural and design companies are coordinating a community visioning effort, focus groups, land-owner meetings, and a community meeting ahead of construction. The team will also conduct surveys, base mapping, preliminary concept development, architectural concepts and a final master plan.