By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Groundbreaking for the Paris Inclusion Park is planned for April 22 and officials of The Levi Miles Foundation are hopeful that the park will be complete by Labor Day of this year.
The Foundation partnered with the city of Paris to provide the playground, to be located at Ogburn Park. It’s the dream of David and Shayna Miles and is coming true, with $2M in private and in-kind donations already received. A total of $2.5M is being sought for the park, which is envisioned as a place where all children of all ages can play on every piece of equipment.
Meeting in regular session Thursday evening, the Paris Municipal Regional Planning Commission unanimously approved the site plan for the Inclusion Park.
Shayna Miles said after the meeting that the park “will be something for the entire family” with numerous creative pieces of equipment and a walking trail that can accomodate two strollers side by side surrounding it. “This is for families to enjoy,” she said.
The design of this playground has received a Certificate of Inclusivity from Let Kids Play and will be the only playground in Tennessee with this certification, Shayna said.
Paris Community Development Director Jessica Crouch said, “This will be a great addition to Ogburn Park”, noting that a second public restroom facility will be constructed near the new park, a gate will be around the perimeter, and security lights will be installed, too.
The Levi Miles Foundation was founded for the purpose of providing support and resources to children with disabilities and rare diseases, as well as to promote acceptance and inclusion of all individuals within our communities.
The site plan was submitted by LI Smith and Associates of Paris. Ogburn Park is located on Washington St. The total site is 9.3 acres with the proposed development land area of 1.32 acres. The proposed parking area is 22 spaces, four of which are handicapped.
The planning commission watched a 3-D video of what the new park will look like before the vote. The Miles couple has made presentations to city officials and the public about the proposal on several occasions, including a public input session last year.
In other business:
–The commission approved a site plan for the Tim Boyd development, to be located on Hwy. 79N, between the Farm Bureau and Stockdale’s. This will be a relocation of Boyd’s current business at 2155 E. Wood St. (beside Fresh Market). The site plan was submitted by LI Smith.
The proposed development consists of metal building sales. Total land is 2.85 acres with proposed office space of 640 square foot. Proposed parking is four spaces, on to be for handicapped drivers.
Photo: Planners watch the 3-D video of what the park will look like. Shannon McFarlin photo.