Washington County Mayor Joe Grandy announced the county’s $200,000 investment in the Johnson City Rotary Club’s children’s bike playground project on Tuesday, Oct. 21, marking a major milestone in making the long-planned project a reality.
The new playground will sit beside the popular Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park and feature a safe, beginner-friendly area for young riders and families eager to enjoy the outdoors together.
The funds were secured through Tennessee’s First Frontier Trail initiative, championed by Gov. Bill Lee. Grandy said the state’s support will play a key role in bringing the project to life.
“We expressed to Gov. Lee how important this project is for our trail system and for young riders just starting to explore the sport,” Grandy said. “His response was enthusiastic and decisive. He believes in investing in local recreation, and we’re grateful for his strong support and the funding that made this possible.”
Grandy added that the collaboration demonstrates how state, county and city partnerships can drive local progress.
“This is how government should work — the state empowering local leaders, local organizations stepping up and everyone moving in the same direction to improve quality of life for the people of Washington County,” Grandy said.
Grandy presented the check to Johnson City Rotary Club President Cyrus Fees during the organization’s regular luncheon at the Johnson City Country Club.
“This is a significant community-driven achievement that reflects strong local and regional support for expanding outdoor recreation opportunities for families and young riders,” Fees said. “Rotary is delighted to partner with Washington County and the City of Johnson City to make this vision a reality.”
With the county’s contribution, Rotary’s fundraising total now stands at $420,000. The land for the project was donated by Grant Summers of Summers Taylor Construction, another strong show of local investment.
The new playground will complement and connect our Tweetsie Trail and New Frontier Trail with Tannery Knobs’ existing mountain bike trails, adding a beginner-friendly option while strengthening Johnson City’s reputation as a regional destination for outdoor adventure.
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