DUANE SHERRILLEditor

Destiny Holmes, cofounder of the Garden Youth Outreach, raised the alarm during the recent board of mayor and aldermen meeting about the state of Jefferson Street Park.

The local activist, during the public comment session at the beginning of the Sept. 22 Tullahoma Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, said she and others have begun circulating a petition, asking the city to do something about the conditions of the city park.

“When we think about a park, we think about a safe, welcoming place where children can run, play and grow,” she told the board of mayor and aldermen. “Unfortunately, our park does not have that vision. Instead, what we see is outdated play structures, uneven grounds and equipment that is not only uninviting but, in some cases, unsafe.”

She questioned if members of the city council would want their family playing in such a park.

“Would you want your children or grandchildren to play here?” she asked. “If the answer is no, then we as a community must acknowledge that our children deserve better.”

She said the park has been overlooked for far too long while other parks around the city have had upgrades.

“Our families and community deserve equal access to safe, engaging and inclusive play spaces,” she said. “Parks are not just for recreation. They are places where communities connect, where health and wellness are built and where children’s imaginations come alive.”

She added the public has patiently tolerated the state of Jefferson Street Park for years.

“It is time for action,” she said, asking the council to prioritize funding and planning for improvements. “

She said the improvement could come in phases and could be part of community-volunteer initiatives supported by the city.

“Investing in this park is investing in our children, our families and our city’s future,” she said.