(MURFREESBORO) Approximately half of the Murfree Spring Wetland boardwalk system is open for public use after it was shut-down in December, 2022 when the City deemed it unsafe. An engineering study showed that each support had to be structurally enhanced with cross-bracing. In addition, some of the faux wood planks needed replacing after almost 25-years. By the way, studies show that planks made from recycled plastic bottles is much stronger than natural wood.

Murfreesboro’s Executive Director of Recreation Services Nate Williams said that the two longest walking sections in the wetlands have been reopened. One is the path that is on the ground and parallel to Broad Street. The other goes through the center of the Murfree Spring Wetland. Repairs on the two connecting boardwalks is still in progress

Assistant Director Rachel Springer said...

Springer noted that a few of the wildlife seen in the wetland include heron, crane, beaver, otter, turtles, and racoons.

There is no fee for the public to use the wetland and entry is from the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, a hands-on science museum at 502 SE Broad Street.

With the City’s daylighting of Town Creek along with the Broad Street renovations, the Murfree Spring Wetland will become a major focal point of downtown developments and will bring about a dramatic increase in use by residents as well as tourists.

Springer commented that the City is working with Osprey Initiative, LLC to correct other issues before walking traffic increases...

Osprey Initiative, LLC, is a Mobile, AL firm whose mission is to bridge the gap between intent and action in the sustainability world. Five per cent of the firm' gross revenue funds litter clean-up.       

The WGNS’ 328-foot radio tower is in the middle of what is now the wetland, but historical documents show that cattle grazed around the tower almost 80-years ago. Up to Y2K, the land around the tower was simply heavily wooded--it was not a wetland.

The Murfree Spring Wetland boardwalk was created 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.

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