News

County OKs East Flat Rock Park improvements, honors HHS tennis team

Commissioners on Monday recognized the Hendersonville High School women's tennis team for its fifth consecutive state championship. [AMY MCCRAW/Hendersonville Lightning]

By Amy McCraw, Published: February 6, 2024

Visitors to the county's newest park will likely see a disc golf course and walking trails as plans for expansion at the property get under way.

Henderson County commissioners during their regular monthly meeting on Monday voted unanimously to authorize $40,000 for the creation of the disc golf course and walking trail at East Flat Rock Park.
The vote came after Henderson County Parks and Recreation Director Bruce Gilliam told the board that plans for the park include a 9-hole disc golf course and a walking path that will connect to existing pathways to create a trail of just over one mile. The project is expected to cost $40,000, Gilliam said.
Gilliam said he expected much of the work on the project could be done in-house.
Commissioner David Hill made a motion that the board approve the request and noted that the project should not require much site work.
Plans for the disc golf course and walking trail came after commissioners in the spring of 2023 bought an additional 13.5 acres at its existing park. The purchase doubled the size of the park and allowed the county to begin planning for more amenities on the property.
In other business, the board:
• Unanimously approved the guaranteed maximum price for the Third Transfer Station Bay project for $4,024,536, SCS Engineers’ proposal for $204,100, and for staff to secure a loan for the total estimated project cost of $10 million.
• Directed county staff to find a larger place to hold another meeting with farmers in the community. The decision to hold another meeting came after Commissioner William Lapsley said he thought the county should hold another meeting with farmers after an overflow crowd showed up for a meeting last week with farmers. Commissioners discussed an auditorium or gymnasium as possible locations for the next meeting.
• Recognized the Hendersonville High School women's tennis team for its fifth consecutive state championship.
• Authorized Sheriff Lowell Griffin to present the service badge and sidearm as a token of appreciation to recently retired Lt. Jason Garren.
• Adopted a resolution in memoriam honoring the late James Eugene “Jimmy” Stepp for his service to the community as a member of the Henderson County Rescue Squad.