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New park area construction underway along south side of campus

Kim Chaudoin | 

Construction is back underway on a new park area along the Granny White Pike/Shackelford area of campus. Upon completion, the park will be open to the public.
 
The park transforms the detention pond required by city building codes into a scenic landscape that will enhance the look of the south side of campus.
 
A 30-foot fountain is the centerpiece of the pond, which will be surrounded by an iron fence. Walking paths and benches will line landscaping that features a wide variety of trees, including Sweet Bay Magnolia, Yoshina Cherry, Red Bud, Sycamore, Willow Oak, Bald Cypress and Needle Point Holly.
 
A sustainable plant interpretive area is also featured in the new park area. It will include a number of plants and greenery indigenous to Tennessee.

Construction began last fall but was halted when a natural spring was discovered under the pond halfway through the excavation. The pond, which will include a liner in order to make it an environmentally friendly recirculating pond, had to be reengineered to ensure the spring did not push it up. A solution was found and the construction was postponed until warmer, dryer weather allowed it to be drained and re-dug. Construction is anticipated for completion in August. 

 

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