accessibility will not only benefit local businesses by attracting more customers and investors. Still, it will also position Union City as a key transit hub in Northwest Tennessee, linking it more efficiently to major urban centers. GREEN SPACES, STRONGER COMMUNITY The city is committed to enhancing its parks and recreational facilities, recognizing that green spaces play a crucial role in fostering a sense of community and promoting healthy lifestyles. “We’ve made significant investments in our park system, including the renovation of Graham Park, a project that took several years and cost around $4-5 million,” McTurner explains. This park is one of the most popular recreational spaces in the city, offering something for everyone. The park features a splash pad where children can cool off in the summer, a skate park for adventure seekers, well-maintained baseball and softball fields that host local leagues, and soccer fields that attract both youth and adult players.Additionally, it includes designated areas for flying model airplanes, making it a hub for hobbyists and sports enthusiasts alike. These improvements have transformed Graham Park into a premier outdoor space for both locals and visitors. Graves emphasizes the role of community partnerships in these projects, highlighting how collaboration has played a crucial part in enhancing the city’s public spaces. At Kiwanis Park, we refurbished a 120-yearold fountain and added new playground equipment, thanks to a generous gift from the Kiwanis Club. It’s an inclusive playground, so children of all abilities can enjoy it,” she says. The playground features adaptive swings, sensoryfriendly play elements, and ramps, ensuring that every child, regardless of ability, has a place to play and interact. In addition to the playground, the city has also invested in landscaping and lighting improvements to make Kiwanis Park a welcoming 5 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 04 UNION CITY, TN
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