County Purchases Property for Future Park Expansion

Lewis County Government recently purchased the property at 409 North Oak Street in Hohenwald in order to enhance the public safety of the community, improve the beauty of the neighborhood, and develop the land for the future expansion of Memorial Park.

The trailer on the property was in terrible condition, and residents in the neighborhood were concerned about the drug activity that was allegedly occurring there. It had also become a popular hangout for the homeless, and several people had complained about all the shopping carts that were being stored in the Dog Park parking lot.

After becoming aware of those issues, and seeing the opportunity to buy the lot at a bargain price for the future expansion of Memorial Park, Lewis County Mayor, Jonah Keltner, approached the County Commission about purchasing the property last Spring.

The Commission agreed it was a great opportunity for the community, and they unanimously voted to purchase the property. Funding came from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, therefore no local tax dollars were used.

Last month the trailer, shopping carts, garbage and overgrown vegetation were cleared off the property and taken to the landfill. The property is now a beautiful, publicly-owned lot that adjoins the Dog Park and Memorial Park, and will be used for recreational development.