CEDAR GROVE, Tenn. — Terry Community Park hosted its Fourth of July celebration on Friday, July 3, drawing families from across the area for games, a water slide, firetrucks, barbecue, and a fireworks display. It’s the latest sign of life for the park that sat largely unused just a few years ago.
Despite the heat and weather delays, organizers and community members put together the event with help from the Terry Volunteer Fire Department, which provided water for the slide and coordinated the fireworks.
As attendees questioned whether the rain would force them to cancel, a double rainbow broke through the clouds. It was a moment Rhonda Wright and others pointed to as a sign of what their work had meant to the community.
Concessions offered a variety of options, including barbecue, burgers, hot dogs, nachos, and drinks, alongside a cake walk stocked with handmade goodies.
Wright, who is treasurer of Terry Community Park since 2005, cooked burgers, barbecue sandwiches, and nachos alongside Rickey Lents as part of the event’s fundraising efforts.
“This is what it’s supposed to be,” Wright said. “This is it.”
Children’s laughter and shouting carried across the park as they played games on fields that, until recently, hosted no youth sports at all.
A Facebook post last year expressing interest in starting a new youth sports league led to almost 100 children now playing soccer, t-ball, and baseball, according to Wanda Tidwell, President of Terry Community Park. Registration for the fall league is open until July 31.
Although the rain meant Jace Hammett’s scheduled performance was canceled, he still came out to support his community and describe some of his musical journey.
“We play a lot of gigs in Paris at Blues Landing. We try to play a lot around here and in Milan some,” Hammett explained.
Fans of Hammett can find him on Facebook for updates on upcoming shows, including future performances at the park.
The celebration capped years of work to bring the park back from years of neglect.
Several years ago, Terry Community Park was managed by older generations. When they were unable to continue maintenance, the park sat deserted for extended periods.
Now, younger generations have taken on the work of restoring it.
Running water and a finished electrical system remain top priorities, Tidwell said, and a well still needs to be dug.
Lawn care is handled by volunteers, and the playground equipment has been donated and installed by community members.
“Everyone seems to be helping one another, and the community is coming together for the children. That’s what it’s all about,” Tidwell said.
Tidwell said seeing the revitalization has been meaningful to her.
“I love to see the elderly in the community bring their families and watch these kids having a good time,” she said.
Kenna Wade, the park’s secretary, and her husband John Wade, have helped lead the coaching of multiple soccer, baseball and t-ball teams, including Rick’s Boat Shop, Castle Car Wash, Autumn Aberle Photography and Kenna’s Creations. Brian and Ashley Hudson have been working alongside Grant and Ashley Hammett to coach Newbill’s Heating and Air, while Jared and Jenny Mims have coached Nelson’s Mortgage Company.
Because the park is a nonprofit that is independently run instead of being managed by any government entity, supporters can give equipment, supplies or monetary donations by contacting Wanda Tidwell.
