Page 8 - Mar-Apr2022 Vol39 No7

GALLATIN
MIRACLE PARK: All-Inclusive Fun

Within the last year, a $2 million
playground complex opened on a
former softball field in the city of
Gallatin. The 27,000-square-foot
universal playground is said to be the
largest all-inclusive park in Tennessee,
featuring ramps, wheelchair-accessible
swings, gliders, sensory panels, musical
instruments, zip-lines, a merry-go-
round, a ball field and other equipment
for individuals of all abilities.
It’s called Miracle Park.
Mary G. Gauerke, marketing manager
for Gallatin Park & Recreation, calls it
“pretty darned amazing.”

Children of Any Physical Ability
Can Enjoy the Park
Located at 240 Champion Drive in
Triple Creek Park, it’s designed so that
children of any physical ability can
utilize the equipment, according to
Gauerke. She said it contains nearly six
acres of colorful recreational amenities
that are compliant with the Americans
with Disabilities Act.
For example, its 17,000-square-foot
ballfield is fully wheelchair accessible, as
is the 18,000-square-foot pedal park for
individuals to learn how to ride a bicycle
safely. Unlike other baseball fields in the
city, the Miracle Field does not include
dirt or raised bases.
Construction of the park began
in late 2019.
Originally scheduled to open fall of
2020, it was delayed by the coronavirus
pandemic. Funding came from a
variety of sources, including a $500,000
grant from the Tennessee Department
of Environment and Conservation,
separate $100,000 donations from All
Access Coach Leasing and Goodall its kind in Tennessee that we can find. has been held for special needs children,
Homes, and hundreds of other This will be the first park of its kind and both boys’ and girls’ ball teams have
donations from local organizations that we’ve built in the city.” Around been forming since the grand opening for
and individuals. Garrott Brothers 200 people attended its grand opening, “kids of differing abilities who would love
Continuous Mix donated much of the where city officials called it “a blessing to play on a ball team.”
concrete for the project. for the whole community.” Donations for the project are still
Mayor Paige Brown proclaimed that being collected by the city’s parks
A Dream for the Last Decade
Gallatin Parks and Recreation the complex will become a place “where department. In addition to selling shirts,
Director David Brown said the park “has children of all abilities, and adults, too, sponsorship opportunities were being
are going to be able to play together,
sold for specific items such picnic tables,
been a dream for at least 10 years and enjoy each other’s company and enjoy the benches, drinking fountains, trash cans,
we’re pretty sure it’s the only complex of
power of play.” Already, a special VIP Day lighting, fencing, and landscaping.
8 TPW March/April 2022