Phase One: 652 to YOU

CPI began with a public engagement program called 652 to YOU, which is an opportunity for community leaders and residents to provide feedback about existing recreation experiences and infrastructure on or along the river, and to share ideas for their improvement by participating in a series of interactive activities facilitated by our team.

After completing 652 to YOU, Calvert City received a report of the findings and a list of recommendations for how the community can make progress toward their aspirations. In addition, a list of potential projects was identified based on the community’s shared vision for their section of the Tennessee RiverLine. Calvert City selected the Haddox Ferry site as their priority placemaking project to study in Phase Two.

The following recommendations were outlined in Calvert City’s 652 to YOU report:

1. Continue Cultivating a Local Paddle Culture

2. Develop Trail Angel Program and Enhance Gear Availability

3. Build Relationships with Industrial and Corporate Citizens

4. Improve Wayfinding and Implement Interpretive Historical Signage

5. Steward and Animate Existing River Access Point at Haddox Ferry and Connect with Overall Multi-Use Trail Network

6. Overcoming Barriers: Enhance Equitable Access and Safe River Experiences

7. Leadership Development

8. Leverage Existing Funding Opportunities, Advocate for New Sources

Phase TWO: CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

The Calvert City Local Leadership Team, with the guidance of the Tennessee RiverLine Planning and Design Team, selected Haddox Ferry as the priority placemaking project site. The site was selected because of its history, need for improvement, and latent potential as a community amenity. There is an established boat ramp, parking area, pavilion, and lawn space currently on site. The leadership team feels that adding kayak access and other amenities would enhance the site and make use of public land that is available for development. The leadership would like to see safe and accessible paddling access, restrooms, and walking trails on site. The community would like to see trails, picnicking, and concessions, and adaptive paddling launch and gear access on the site.

Project Goals

Based on the feedback received from Calvert City’s Local Leadership Team, the community-wide survey, and the research performed by the Tennessee RiverLine Planning and Design team, three primary project goals were identified for the proposed park design at Haddox Ferry:

• Embrace the unique sense of place at Haddox Ferry by exploring the reuse and adaptation of existing and local materials.

• Enhance the park’s overall safety, accessibility, and program for a wide variety of users and abilities.

• Explore flood mitigation, water quality, and bank stabilization techniques to improve the environmental efficacy of the area for future generations.

The proposed conceptual design plan was directly influenced by the site’s location, historical and cultural context, property ownership, hydrologic and ecologic conditions, existing infrastructure, and programming needs of the community.