2026 1 12 Work Session PACKET

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PUBLIC WORKS 
 
TO:  Randall Dowling, City Manager 
FROM:  Kevin L. Helms, Project Manager 
Cc:  Matt Siniard, Parks and Recreation Director 
DATE:  January 5, 2026 
SUBJECT: Footsteps Through History: America 250 at Heritage Park, a Historical Walking Trail 
 
Background 
Heritage Park was dedicated on July 4, 1976, in recognition of the Bicentennial Anniversary of the United 
States of America. All amenities at the park have either been renovated over the past seven years or are 
currently being renovated, and a walking trail is currently being added to the park  with all construction 
activities scheduled to end in 2026 allowing for the park to reopen. The timing is ideal as it occurs during 
the Semisesquicentennial Anniversary of the United States of America and the Fiftieth Anniversary of 
Heritage Park  which provides the city  with a unique opportunity to further enhance the park while 
celebrating these milestones. 
 
The State of Tennessee through the Tennessee State Museum has created a one-time grant funding 
opportunity for projects which document, preserve, and /or share the history of the state and its local 
communities. City staff are requesting approval to apply  for a $20,000 grant to install trail signage to 
present the interconnected history of our country, state, and city . The signs will be installed in 
chronological order, thus providing park users with the opportunity to walk through 250 years of history. 
The grant requires no local match though the city would be responsible for any costs exceeding $20,000.  
At this time, it is anticipated that the grant funding will be sufficient to complete the project. 
 
The following text is from the draft version of the grant application narrative: 
Footsteps Through History: America 250 at Heritage Park is a long -standing outdoor public 
exhibition developed by the City of Athens, Tennessee, to commemorate the 250th anniversary 
of the founding of the United States. The project consists of a historically interpretive walking trail 
at Heritage Park featuring a series of permanent signs placed along a designated path. Each sign 
interprets a ten-year period of history, beginning in 1776 and continuing through 2026. 
Each interpretive sign will present a structured overview of its decade, including the sitting 
President of the United States, Governor of Tennessee, and Mayor of Athens, along with 
significant events in United States, Tennessee, and Athens history. This c onsistent format 
emphasizes historical leadership, civic continuity, and the interconnected nature of national, 
state, and local history.