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ASHLAND CITY WEATHER

Easter egg hunt helps Burns Park reopen from flooding




Children star running toward the search area for the Easter egg hunt last Saturday at Burns Park in Kingston Springs.SEAN BARRY

Children star running toward the search area for the Easter egg hunt last Saturday at Burns Park in Kingston Springs.SEAN BARRY

Hundreds of people gathered in Kingston Springs’ Burns Park for an Easter egg hunt last Saturday as families got a break from rainy weather that had flooded parks in the county.

The park, closed earlier in the week after the Harpeth River overflowed its banks, was packed with parents and their children for the holiday festivities under sunny skies with temperatures in the 50s.

Most of the park reopened last week, though signs remained last Saturday saying the lake area and river trail were still closed. Nearby City Park, where the Easter egg hunt was scheduled to be held, was also closed by high water levels.

Kingston Spring City Manager John Lawless said that the water was just below the nets of the basketball goals at City Park.

For the Easter egg hunt, Burns Park was divided into areas according to age groups. When the horn sounded at 10 a.m., children rushed into the egg-gathering locations.

In Ashland City, Tennessee Waltz Parkway and Riverbluff Park were closed from Cumberland River flooding, but the road and the park were reopened by the middle of last week.

AO Smith closed briefly last week because flood waters had crossed Tennessee Waltz Parkway in Ashland City.RANDY MOOMAW

AO Smith closed briefly last week because flood waters had crossed Tennessee Waltz Parkway in Ashland City.RANDY MOOMAW

Edwin Hogan, Emergency Management Director and Cheatham County Fire Chief, said the Cumberland River came up strong on Lakeside Drive, Goose Bay and Chapmansboro Road.

“As the waters recede the county will continue to log damages and work with any State and Federal help that may be available to property owners,” said Cheatham County Mayor Kerry McCarver. “Our County Road Department and school bus garage are dealing again with rising waters. Both facilities are being replaced so one bit of good news –this should be the last flood that will impact the roads and school bus shops.”

Damage to private property appeared to be minimal. In Kingston Springs, water moved a shed from someone’s back yard about 300 yards downstream, Lawless said.

Lawless had no other reports of damage, though a full accounting had yet to be completed, he said. Lawless said residents should contact him to report any damage to properties by the flooding.

City Park in Kingston Springs is closed because of high water levels. City Manager John Lawless said the water had gotten as high as just under the basketball nets.SUBMITTED

City Park in Kingston Springs is closed because of high water levels. City Manager John Lawless said the water had gotten as high as just under the basketball nets.SUBMITTED

“We ask them to let us know so we could schedule inspections,” said Lawless. “Since FEMA subsidizes flood insurance in a lot of places, there is a certain procedure they have in place so we want to make sure everybody follows. If you don’t, you may not qualify.”

AO Smith had to shut down production March 29 as waters closed the bypass and water entered the plant’s parking lot as well as one part of the building.

“The Harpeth came up really quick,” Hogan said. “Most of the rain was south of I-40. It tore up Tip-A-Canoe and the water crossed Highway 70 in three places. It messed up the road on 70 in Cedar Hill, but it’s now fixed.”

Hogan cited some positives community spirit.

“The good things have been people helping people,” said Hogan. “People have been understanding. The highway department has been out. TDOT has been responsive. The Fire Department has been out checking on people. It’s gone as smooth as it can go. I think that’s because we had (a flood in) 2010; and then we’ve had 2019, and now we’ve had 2021. We’ve had two river floods in three years.”

Riverbluff Park in Ashland City was closed for a couple of days last week because of flooding.RANDY MOOMAW

Riverbluff Park in Ashland City was closed for a couple of days last week because of flooding.RANDY MOOMAW

  • The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s Emergency Response Fund awards grants to non-profit organizations to distribute to residents and businesses for storm recovery. Get information or donate at cfmt.org or mail checks to: The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee P.O. Box 440225 Nashville, TN 37244
  • For help with cleaning up debris, call the Crisis Cleanup hotline at 833-904-1085. 
  • Contact the American Red Cross of Tennessee (1-800-Red-Cross or redcross.org/Tennessee) for assistance with temporary shelter, clothing or finances as a result of flood damage.
  • To report damage in Kingston Springs contact City Manager John Lawless (Citymanager@kingstonsprings-tn.gov).
  • To report damage in the Cheatham County and for help in applying for emergency financial assistance, contact County Mayor Kerry McCarver’s office at (615) 792-4316

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