Heritage Park Reopens After Major Upgrades
ATHENS, Tenn. (WDEF) – A ribbon-cutting ceremony officially reopened Heritage Park in Athens Friday morning following major renovations to the longtime community space.
City leaders joined the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the reopening and highlight upgrades aimed at improving recreation, accessibility and safety for families.
The renovated park now includes an 1100-foot asphalt walking trail that loops through the property from the pavilion to the back of the park and back again.
Families visiting the park will also find a new playground with rubber surfacing, along with upgraded security cameras and additional improvements including water fountains, shade structures, benches, and trash cans.
The park’s youth baseball field also received major upgrades. The field now features improved drainage designed to better handle wet weather, along with a 225-foot center field fence and 215-foot corners.
City leaders said the renovations included support from a Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Local Parks and Recreation Fund grant (TDEC LPRF grant), which helps fund local park improvement projects.
Officials also highlighted a future addition through a $9,990 Tennessee America 250 grant, which will support historical signage along the walking trail as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.
