Christy-Houston Foundation Donates Funding for La Vergne Playground

Apr 02, 2014 at 09:25 am by bryan


The long-awaited playground at Lake Forest Park in La Vergne is being built this year, thanks to a generous donation from the Christy-Houston Foundation.

“This donation from the Christy-Houston Foundation is taking us across the finish line for the playground,” said Mayor Senna Mosley. “This playground will have an incredible impact on this neighborhood. We expect a huge boost in the quality of life for these neighbors, it will build a stronger sense of community, and I anticipate the home values will increase.”

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The playground in Lake Forest Park will be located behind the police substation at 401 Holland Ridge Drive. There will be three main play areas, designed to be accessible for children of all ages and all abilities. The playground will include a swing area, a play area for ages 2-5, and a play area for ages 5-12. The city also plans to build a future walking trail around the park.

“A very important segment of the Foundation’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in Rutherford County. What an effective way of realizing that mission by providing a park for children to have a safe and fun place to exercise and play,” said Robert Mifflin, Executive Director of the Christy-Houston Foundation.

Deborah Balthrop said she was told when she first moved to La Vergne 20 years ago that a playground was coming to her subdivision. “This promise was made by a local builder and nearly all of my neighbors purchased homes knowing a nearby park was going in for our children to play in,” she said. “My children are now grown so now it is my granddaughter I will be taking to play. I am so thankful to Mayor Mosley and the Christy-Houston Foundation for making this dream a reality.”

There are approximately 3,400 homes in Lake Forest Estates and neighboring subdivisions, for a total population of about 11,000 people. The playground is expected to attract more than 200 children every day.

The community-build project will take place June 4-7. The city will be seeking volunteers to help city workers and a playground engineer on the final two days of the four-day build.

“I will be there to personally work alongside these residents during the build and to cheer for the children when we officially open,” said Mayor Mosley. “Our Lake Forest residents were promised this playground decades ago. After so many years, I am proud of my team and their work which will benefit thousands of families.”

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