A Clay County High School group wants to see Celina’s Donaldson Park improved to increase access, the town’s enjoyment, and potentially sales tax revenue.
Jason Upton created the group of three Beta Club students with assistance from high school leaders. Upton said he planned for the students to learn leadership and public speaking skills, while becoming involved in the community.
“These three students are, seem to be very focused on those goals,” Upton said. “I’ve been challenging them with new ideas of features to have at the local parks that would make our park more special.”
Among the group’s goals, adding wheelchair accessibility and renovating tennis courts.
“Making everything wheel chair accessible, for better access for disabled (people),” Upton said. “So that’s like, top of our list, because there is lacking of that there.”
Group Member Ty Walden introduced the group to Celina Mayor Luke Collins and the City Aldermen at a meeting. Upton said the group received a positive reception and community support. Upton said support for the project does not translate into funding.
“It is a distressed county, Clay County is,” Upton said. “And difficulty of having the funds, the money, to do some projects that are needed, is the money’s not there”
Upton said the students receive public service hours through the group, which credit toward the high school Beta Club. Upton said the students dedicate themselves to the enhancement of the county parks in a meaningful way.
Upton said repairing the tennis courts could attract tourists from other neighboring counties participating in pickle ball leagues. Upton said the park could host pickle ball tournaments at the park to gain tourist revenue.
“We could gain a lot of revenue from the folks that are actually playing pickle ball.” Upton said. “If you have not noticed, you have a large group over there in Cookeville, and Livingston.”
Upton said the group hopes to register the park as an arboretum and incorporate minor changes to bring further tourist attention to the county, such as signage, a kiosk with a mount and maps of the park. Upton said advertising for the park is important for the future of the park.
Upton said tourism is the only way Celina can gain revenue. Upton said he hopes improving to the park can attract tourists and further finance the city.
“To bring people to Celina, to have something special for them to view, to do and to see, so that again, we can gain that revenue from them being here,” Upton said. “Perhaps they’re going to eat, sleep, drink, buy gas, you know. And to provide something special and unique for the county, for the community.”
Upton said Dale Hollow Lake brings many tourists to the county. Upton said the lake and surrounding campsites are on the outskirts of the city.
“They typically stay there at the lake,” Upton said. “We would love to give them a reason to be drawn into the city as well and therefore, they could then, you know, eat at our restaurants, and gain some more of that revenue from the tourist attraction.”