Tennessee State Parks has announced the support group Friends of Warriors’ Path State Park has received a $10,000 grant from the Kiwanis Club of Kingsport to support the Darrell’s Dream Boundless Playground at the park.

The park hosted an event Wednesday to celebrate the grant.

The playground, which draws over 165,000 visitors a year, consistently receives strong community support. Among its many features is the Lions Narnia Braille Trail with eight sensory stations along one-quarter mile that tell visitors the story of the Chronicles of Narnia. The grant will go toward reconstruction of an entrance to the Braille Trail.

“This is a great boost for our playground and the park,” said Park Manager Chris Cole. “The playground serves the many families who enjoy this feature, and we are deeply grateful to the Kiwanis Club of Kingsport for its tremendous support.”  

“Kiwanis has been a generous and supportive partner over the years with Friends of Warriors’ Path for the benefit of the park and particularly with the Darrell’s Dream Boundless Playground,” said Reba Barber, president of Friends of Warriors’ Path. “Now, they are again demonstrating that generosity by providing a $10,000 grant to rebuild one of the wardrobes on the Lions Narnia Braille Trail within the playground. This is a large expense, and we would like to say how very much we appreciate Kiwanis for stepping up to make this possible.”

“The Kiwanis Club of Kingsport is dedicated to serving and improving the lives of children and to making our community a better place to live now and in the future,” said MaryLee Davis, president of the Kiwanis Club of Kingsport. “Children are our future, so we strive to develop citizens who are equipped for success. Since 1924, Kingsport Kiwanis has focused on improving the health and well-being of children of all abilities and ages.”

Cole was among officials at the park Wednesday to celebrate the grant, along with Davis; Gail Cole, vice president of Friends of Warriors’ Path; Mary Steadman, project chair and volunteer for Friends of Warriors’ Path; and Pat Breeding, board member for Friends of Warriors’ Path and project liaison for the Kiwanis Club of Kingsport.

To ensure that Tennessee State Parks serves all Tennesseans, the parks are striving to identify and eliminate barriers that limit access to enjoying the natural, cultural, and recreational offerings at the parks. To view specific Tennessee State Parks’ current accessibility options across the state, visit this link.