Updated with additional details.
CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Montgomery County has received a donation of approximately 230 acres of land from the Clarksville-Montgomery County Community Health Foundation for a new county park that features a lake and a key connection for the ongoing greenway project.
Located along Matlock Road near the southeast border of Montgomery County, the approximately 230-acre property includes rolling hills, mature hardwood forests, open fields, a lake and pond, creeks, natural springs, and 3,300 feet of frontage along the Cumberland River, according to a county news release.
The property, with the address 3150 Matlock Road, is to the west of the intersection of Hinton Road and Sulphur Springs Road, also west of Walton’s Chapel United Methodist Church.
The newly named “Matlock Park” was purchased by the Health Foundation in May from the Matlock family for $5 million, then donated to Montgomery County Government, according to county property records.
“This is the largest project our foundation has ever undertaken,” said Health Foundation Executive Director Rosalind Kurita in the release. “We are confident this gift to Montgomery County will provide opportunities for generations of residents to have access to free outdoor activities.”
Connecting the greenways
Matlock Park is a key connector property in Montgomery County’s effort to connect the Clarksville Greenway to the Ashland City Greenway, with the long-term goal being a continuous greenway stretching from Ashland City through Montgomery County to Hopkinsville, Kentucky.
The county already owns the narrow tract along the Cumberland River just south of Matlock Park to the Cheatham County line, according to property records. The county also owns the narrow tract at the end of Jarrell Ridge Road.
Cunningham Utility District and East Montgomery Utility District jointly own the land from there going north almost to Mark Bottom Road. The 1.12-mile-long strip along the river will be transferred to Montgomery County, county officials told Clarksville Now.
Including the utility districts’ portion, Montgomery County now has access to build about 3.24 additional miles of greenway at the south end of the county. About 5.5 additional miles will be needed to reach the city limits, most of which will require additional purchasing or gifts of land, the officials said.
What Matlock Park will include
In addition to the greenway connection, Matlock Park includes a lake and a pond connected by a creek to the Cumberland River, creating potential for swimming, fishing and kayaking.
“Park amenities will be evaluated as part of the master planning process, with a focus on providing outdoor spaces for everyone to enjoy nature through walking, sports, water activities, and family recreation that encourages active, healthy lifestyles,” Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Director Sally Read said in the release.
What’s next for new county park
If approved at the November County Commission meeting, Montgomery County will move forward with planning, engineering and design work for the property as Phase 1 of the property development:
- Acquisition of property, pending November County Commission approval.
- Initial surveys, site assessments and master planning.
- Advancing roadway access, ADA pedestrian connections, grading, soil testing and environmental reviews.
- Construction grant application planned for spring 2027.
- Completed design plans by spring/summer 2027.
Additional phases will map out construction, based on available grant funding.
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