With a growing population and a new high school opening later this year, Lakeland is looking to expand its parks and recreation amenities.
On Thursday, Jan. 27, the Lakeland Economic Development Commission received an update on the early stages of creating a citywide parks and recreation comprehensive master plan. The last plan was completed in 2009 when the city’s population was about 8,000. Today, it is close to 12,000.
“We’ve had some pretty big changes take place around here since that time,” Lakeland Parks and Recreation Director Pat O’Mara said of the population growth. “Also in the last two years, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, who we receive grants from on occasion, now requires a current master plan. And that master plan can be no older than five years.”
The new master plan is needed for the city to receive another TDEC grant for the proposed 100-acre park at the southwest corner of Memphis-Arlington Road and Canada Road. Lakeland is using a TDEC grant for Phase I infrastructure work at the athletic park.
A master plan for the new athletic park was completed last year and includes a variety of athletic fields, an 18-hole disc golf course and a playground. A skate park, paved and unpaved walking and biking trails also are planned. Final details for Phase II and beyond are not set yet.
“Hopefully our timeline is such that this (citywide plan) should be before the next round of grants are open for applications,” O’Mara said. He sees the plan envisioning where the city wants to be in 10 years.
Read more: https://dailymemphian.com/section/suburbs/article/26763/lakeland-edc-gets-peek-at-new-city-wide-parks