Get a peek at plans for new Lanier Farm Park

Open house gives chance for questions before vote

While a gate locks the entrance to what will be Bobby Lanier Farm Park, Germantown residents can get a sneak peak of the proposed design plans for the city’s newest public park at the Parks and Recreation office this afternoon.

The Parks and Recreation office is holding an open house at 5 p.m. to- day to give residents a chance to ask questions and make comments. After hearing from the public, the Parks and Recreation Commission will vote on a final plan for the new park during next Thursday’s meeting.

Anyone can view the plans until 6:30 p.m. today at 2276 West St. Once it opens this spring with a community garden section, the Farm Park will be the city’s 27th park serving roughly 22 square miles.

During the first phase of construction, Germantown proposes spending $340,000 to build a better access road into the park and to start a community garden section. Community Services Division Director George Brogdon said the city is considering using honeycomb - like pavers that will be covered in gravel as the park’s access road from Cloyes Park and the soccer fields.

Parks and Recreation Commission vice - chairman Mary Anne Gibson views the latest addition to the park system as a teaching park.

“There’s a need for our children to be able to experience what farm-to - table truly means,” she said. “You don’t go to Kroger and that’s where tomatoes come from.”

Gibson is heading up a farm park advisory group, which will meet every first and third Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at the Parks and Rec office.

“We are under a crunch. We’ve got to have phase one open by June,” she said.

She hopes those interested will sit in on the meetings.

“We’re not turning anybody away,” she said.

In addition to residents seeing an overview of the farm park’s master plan today, Parks and Recreation Director Pam Beasley said, “We’ll be

recruiting volunteers to plant a vegetable and cutting-flower garden for the spring.”

Park officials are setting aside one -fourth of an acre for tomatoes, squash, peppers, onions and peas, zinnias, sunflowers and gladiolas.

So far, Master Gardeners, beekeepers and those interested in composting have volunteered to help the city with the farm park.

The latest park adjoins other city parks and soccer fields.

Germantown bought the farm in 2009. Part of it was paid for with a $400,000 state grant. If the first phase is not started by June 10, the city will be forced to repay the money to the state.

Dalhoff Thomas design/ studio is the designer. The Farm Based Education Association is assisting in the project . — Lela Garlington:

(901) 529-2349

Jim Weber/the Commercial Appeal Cody Slaughter and fellow cast members from the Broadway musical “Million Dollar Quartet” perform briefly at the Rock ’N’ Soul museum to promote the show, which is playing at the Orpheum through Sunday.