JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) — In a significant boost for outdoor recreation in Northeast Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) distributed funding to various localities on Friday.

The collective amount awarded surpassed $2 million, earmarked for enhancing regional projects.

The most substantial grant, totaling $1,750,000, was awarded to the Town of Jonesborough. This funding will be allocated to the enhancement of trails and walkways within the town.

Additionally, Johnson City Parks and Recreation secured $445,125, intended for upgrading the playground and splash pad facilities at Willow Springs Park.

“Johnson City is developing an inclusive playground, while Jonesborough plans to implement ADA enhancements in their parks,” explained Brian Clifford, TDEC Director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation. “These initiatives align with a statewide strategy to improve park accessibility, encouraging more community engagement with outdoor resources.”

Further support was extended to the Doe Mountain Recreation Authority, which received $153,972, and the City of Bristol, Tennessee, which was granted $48,000.

“These grants help to fill the gap for a local community if there is a delta between their existing funds and the project they want to complete,” Clifford said. “This is a great opportunity for the state to step in and partner to help fill that gap to put these projects on the ground for these communities.”

The grants were made available through TDEC’s Local Parks and Recreation Fund, Tennessee Recreation Initiative, Planning Grant, and Recreational Trails programs.

“Parks and recreation is a major benefit for a community,” Clifford said. “It provides tourism, economic development, but a lot of health benefits from physical health, mental health, and social health. Communities benefit so much from more green space, more opportunity to get outside and be active.”