Letter from Bell Buckle Park Board Chairman

Jenny Hunt, Chairman February 26, 2002 A park for Bell Buckle! Just the idea of a park brings so much excitement, so much anticipation. Many times a park is thought of as just a place for children. But, truly, parks are a place for all ages and all interests. The vision for our park is a broad one. All of us are guilty of looking at the things that surround us but not really “seeing” them. The Park Board has a challenge: to see the park as it will be when it is completed. . We are focusing on these aspects of a park. A park must be visually pleasing. A park should be an urban forest that can benefit all who enter. A park should offer physical exercise options. A park should offer contemplative, reflective opportunities. A park should offer social benefits for interacting with others with common interests and goals. A park should offer a place for play, to be carefree and relaxed. A park should offer civic opportunities; making available activities for the betterment of the community. And a park should provide a place for us each to express and explore what is important and interests us most. Since the 1/2-cent sales tax was implemented in 1996, the Bell Buckle Park has been a “thought in progress”. Several committees were formed to progress the idea, and all have succeeded in taking the necessary steps to get us to where we are today. We have all seen the spirit that has lifted our country since the horror of September 11, 2001. The heart and soul of our country has shone through the disaster and turned us toward a united effort, a united vision and a united goal. The resounding theme is that we are all in this together Bell Buckle is unified by this event as well. The everyday ordinary activities that bind us have gained greater meaning and created our own special spirit. Our park will reflect the spirit of our unique community. It is that spirit that the Park and Recreation Committee will call upon. So, how are we going to do all this? No doubt this is a big undertaking. Yes, it gets to be somewhat overwhelming from time to time. First, the surveys have been gathered and the information compiled to give us direction. We are also working with the town engineer to develop the site so that it flows freely between environment and activities. We have been meeting with community members and members of Leadership Bedford to gather insight as well as to inform them of our plans. Many grants are being studied, and we are in close contact with the coordinator in middle Tennessee for state and federal grants. We are working to develop the vision for the entire park site, both land and building. The projects will then be phased according to community input and financial feasibility. After Phase I is designed, organizing and fundraising will begin in earnest. We will be calling for your help. More than half of those returning surveys volunteered their services in some capacity or another to help build our park. Scott Cocanougher who was in the Leadership Bedford class that helped build Celebration Station in Shelbyville said, “Our goal was to build community spirit and that spirit ended up building a park.” We hope to see the spirit of Bell Buckle shine in the building of our park. Many times I hear, “but Bell Buckle is so little. How can a little town like that build a park?” Our “little town” boasts a world-renowned school in Webb. Our “little town” has nationally acclaimed artists such as Tennessee poet laureate Maggie Vaughn and sculptor Russ Faxon. Our “little town” has a Chamber of Commerce that organizes festivals that draw tourists from across the country. Our “little town” has a wealth of wonderful, honest, hard working people dedicated to family and community. We have all heard the story of David and Goliath. It is not the size that matters most but the heart. My heart is in the building of this park. But most of all, I hope that we can put a park in the heart of Bell Buckle!

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