The City of Lakeland is among 31 communities across Tennessee selected to receive grant funding from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) as part of the Local Parks and Recreation Fund (LPRF) program. The state agency announced a total of $22 million in grants, with Lakeland awarded $963,421 to support the construction of new pickleball courts and related amenities.
The grant, which covers 50% of the total estimated project cost of $1.9 million, will help fund the development of six new pickleball courts to be located next to the future Lakeland YMCA on Huff N’ Puff Road. The project plans include fencing, ADA-compliant parking, a 19-by-10-foot restroom facility, shaded seating, picnic areas, food truck stalls with electrical hookups, landscaping, lighting, utilities, and site signage.
“Local parks are an important aspect of outdoor recreation, and we are glad these grants will help communities across the state,” said Greer Tidwell, deputy commissioner of Conservation for TDEC, in a statement.
Emily Zimmer of the Mid South Development District, the organization that assisted Lakeland with the grant application, told Lakeland Currents that design and engineering work is scheduled to begin in January 2026, with construction to follow later that year.
Mayor Josh Roman praised the Mid South Development District for their support, noting the significant impact of the funding. “$1 million grants do not happen by accident,” Roman said. He added the future of Lakeland is looking very bright, “if you are a business, consider Lakeland, we are in our glow up era that started with our new schools and it hasn’t stopped. It’s time to jump in. The water is warm!”
