Murfree Spring Boardwalk 100% Open Again!

What Happened? - Over two-years ago, in December 2022, the boardwalk system was closed due to "safety issues". 

 

At that time Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation's Director Nate Williams said, "After a preliminary assessment of the boardwalk, inspectors determined that the boardwalk needs significant work and repairs."

 

Engineers conducted a detailed inspection and analysis of the boardwalk to determine the level of repairs needed and the timeframe for closure and repairs.

 

The U.S. Corps of Engineers built the Murfree Springs Boardwalk System and the 25-acre nature park in the city was opened to the public in 2000.

 

Extensive engineering work has been made over the past two-year and the structure is now open again to the public.

 

History of the Boardwalk - The Murfree Spring Wetland boardwalk was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2000. Through a local/federal agreement for improvements to Murfree Spring, the City has partnered with the Corps to make enhancements and improvements.

Murfree Spring Wetlands is a 25-acre City park located at Maney Avenue and Broad Street. With paved walking trails and raised boardwalks winding through the wetlands, it is a favorite park for nature photographers and birdwatchers.

Almost 80 years ago, WGNS built its 328-foot tall tower near where the boardwalk now curves through the wetlands. Back then the area was a part of a cattle farm, and after the radio tower was completed, cattle continued to graze there for many years.  

For more information on the history of Murfree Spring dating back to 1817, visit https://www.murfreesborotn.gov/187/Murfree-Spring-Wetlands 

Early WGNS Days - WGNS radio located its tower and first studio in that area in the late 1940s. There was no wetland, in fact WGNS' Bart Walker proudly holds the first lease on the land from a farmer who received permission from the radio station to allow his cattle to graze around the tower. 

In fact, it was not until Y2K (the year 2000) that the wetlands was born. 

The land had always been a haven for wildlife within a few hundred feet of the city.

Walker recalls doing work at the radio station's tower site almost 40-years ago and enjoying the graceful cranes, geese, small to large turtles and more that were sunning on logs or fishing in Town Creek that runs through the property. 

The land that is now under water was cracked and dry in the summer. In addition, it was a dense forest that kept out the sound of the growing and bustling city that surrounded the natural retreat. 

When the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring opened, there was much discussion of creating an attraction of this type. 

Trips to wetland boardwalks at places throughout the region were visited by many. Walker noted that the most impressive one was the South Chicamagua Creek boardwalk in Chattanooga. 

Murfree Springs Included Native American History - There were exciting adventures tied to the Murfreesboro site, which made it even more attractive. 

Folklore has it that in 1794 Cherokee Chief Black Fox was overpowered by a band of hunters reportedly headed by Andrew Jackson. Black Fox jumped into the water near what is now Todd's Lake and swam underground for 3-miles. He came out at Murfree Springs. In fact, the site is in the rear of the Discovery Center and is well marked.