Smyrna officials are asking residents to help shape a proposed $6 million overhaul of Rotary Soccer Park, and they want that feedback on the record before they chase state money to pay for it. A public meeting is set for March 17 at the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center so town staff can gather comments and show that the community is behind the plan. Town leaders say the project hinges on a state grant application that could cover a significant share of the cost.
According to Rutherford Source, the town has put the tentative price tag at about $6,000,000 and is eyeing the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Local Parks and Recreation Fund as the main funding source. Officials told the outlet that visible public participation will bolster Smyrna’s application.
What's on the table
The town’s own announcement on Roundabout Smyrna says the LPRF application would target improvements to the park’s playing surfaces, spectator amenities and other facilities. That notice also lists two community meetings tied to the plan: one held March 3 at Rotary Soccer Park and the March 17 session at the Outdoor Adventure Center, scheduled immediately after the Parks Board meeting.
The grant chase
The Local Parks and Recreation Fund is administered by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and can be used for land acquisition, trail development and other capital projects, according to TDEC. The program is competitive and has sent millions of dollars to cities and counties across the state in recent years, including a roughly $21 million round of awards documented by Tennessee Town & City.
Park details
Rotary Soccer Park is a town-owned complex of roughly 30 acres that includes multiple soccer fields, a playground, a shelter, a concession stand and a walking trail that runs close to a mile, according to the Town of Smyrna. Those existing amenities, along with the park’s role in hosting youth leagues, are expected to be central to whatever renovation plan ultimately moves forward.
Community stakes
Local clubs already treat the park as home turf. Stones River FC lists Rotary Soccer Park as its primary home field, underscoring how heavily the site factors into youth and recreational soccer in the area. Town leaders note that upgrades to fields, restrooms or parking can make a facility more attractive to tournaments and weekend visitors, benefits that have shown up in other communities that secured LPRF funding.
How to weigh in
The town’s notice invites residents to attend the March 17 meeting at the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center to offer feedback on the proposed renovation, with details posted on Roundabout Smyrna and other town pages. Parks staff can also be reached at (615) 459-9773 or [email protected] for more information or to submit comments, contact information that appears on the Town of Smyrna website. Town officials say that public input will be factored in as they finalize both the grant application and the scope of the Rotary Soccer Park project.
