Sinking Creek is a beautiful 10 mile stream that flows through the south side of Johnson City in Washington County and empties into the Watauga River in Carter County, which is renowned for trophy trout. Children and their families should be able to explore and irrigate from the stream, but it is not safe for wading or irrigating in certain portions because of high levels of E. coli bacteria. The Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation has placed warning signs at stream access locations beginning near the wetlands and downstream advising the public not to swim or wade due to unacceptable levels of coliform bacteria. Non-point sources of the bacteria are failing septic systems and runoff.
In 2008, the Boone Watershed Partnership (BWP) received a $300,000 match grant from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture for the restoration of Sinking Creek by reducing the E. coli bacteria in the stream. The City of Johnson City and East Tennessee State University were vital partners identifying antiquated septic tanks and sources of potential runoff along the stream. As a result, the Sinking Creek Restoration Project eliminated twenty-four septic tanks to sewer connections, repaired four septic systems outside of city limits, fenced the Catbird Creek tributary flowing through a cattle pasture, and expanded wetlands by 2.1 acres by the end of September, 2013.
Now, BWP is working with the same partners, the Johnson City Morning Rotary Club, local businesses, and community volunteers to develop an environmental education park at Sinking Creek. In September, 2013, the City of Johnson City designated twenty-eight acres of its property located 1/2 mile from Mountain View Elementary School on King Springs Road for this purpose. Due to the progress inspired by Jacob, the City Commission of Johnson City officially named this park development “Jacob’s Nature Park at Sinking Creek” on April 16, 2015.
BWP continues to apply for grant funding and seek potential business-sector partners to build approximately 1,000 feet of boardwalk over the wetland and along the creek, some hiking bridges, and a shelter with a living roof as an outdoor classroom for this environmental education park. Hundreds of volunteers have built nearly two miles of hiking trail through the woodlands. Click on Sinking Creek Prelim Layout to view a plan for the wetlands features in the park. Approximately 1,000′ of wetlands boardwalk would create an optimally diverse educational experience in the park. It has been estimated to cost $150.00 per linear foot, and could be built in phases. A significant portion of wetlands boardwalk that would link the entrance, imminent bridge, and an outdoor classroom could be constructed for $50,000. Funds have been obtained to plan and construct other features in the park as described below.
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture awarded a $20,000 grant for educational signs that will explain the probable causes of the contamination to Sinking Creek and how it is being restored, and provide further information about the sources of E. coli bacteria and how to reduce the risk of contamination and illness. Signs will also provide information about the plants, animals, and the geological features within the park.
Tysinger, Hampton & Partners, Inc. has drawn plans for construction of an 8′ x 35′ bridge over Sinking Creek linking the woodlands trails to the wetlands with 100′ of handicap-accessible ramp/boardwalk. Gary Tysinger has provided numerous in-kind hours to help launch Jacob’s Nature Park at Sinking Creek. Four-years of BWP fundraising events has paid $11,000 for the engineering plans and will pay for materials estimated at $30,000. The City of Johnson City and the Tennessee Department of Correction in-kind will be constructing the bridge and ramp in 2016.
Wilson Architects, Inc. has designed a 20′ x 30′ pavilion with a living roof that will function as an outdoor classroom in the park. Prosim Engineering, Inc. is providing its structural engineering services in-kind. The estimated cost for construction of the outdoor classroom is $30,000, and fundraising is ongoing. The Johnson City News & Neighbor published a nice article with an image of the design and an event with Detroit Tigers pitcher, Daniel Norris, to raise funds that can be read at: http://jcnewsandneighbor.com/norris-appearance-to-boost-environmental-park-fundraiser-jan-9/.
Jacob’s Nature Park is within a few blocks of the Tweetsie Trail, which is a rail-to-trail, pedestrian/cycling path linking Johnson City and Elizabethton. Many people foresee the easy connection that should occur with Jacob’s Nature Park and the popular Tweetsie Trail.
The restoration of Sinking Creek and the development of an environmental education park at Sinking Creek is a perfect legacy for how Jacob lived: exploring, learning, caring. Jacob’s Nature Park at Sinking Creek addresses public health concerns of water quality, childhood obesity, and recreation for seniors and adults with intellectual disabilities within the neighborhood.
Jacob’s Project is at the forefront helping the Boone Watershed Partnership and the City of Johnson City develop this environmental education park. If you would like to financially support this development, please make your online tax-deductible contribution at http://boonewatershed.org/index.php/get-involved/donate1/; or make check payable to: BWP-Jacob’s Park, P.O. Box 774, Milligan College, TN 37682.