Red Mill project advances
A new pocket park in Farragut is under way after Farragut Municipal Planning Commission unanimously approved design plans for the Red Mill Dam parking lot, access trail and trailhead during its meeting Thursday, May 21.
Assistant Town engineer Eric Schindler said Red Mill Dam, acquired by the Town, is located on a parcel at the corner of Concord and Turkey Creek roads.
“In an effort to showcase this beautiful piece of property, the Town has been researching different options for access to the dam area,” he said. “This project consists of a 10-stall parking lot and pathway leading to a trailhead and sitting area adjacent to the Red Mill Dam.”
Schindler said staff advertised a request for qualifications to firms in December 2024 and selected LDA Engineering to conduct the engineering, design and bid selection process for the Red Mill Dam project.
He added access to the paved parking area will come through a driveway owned by First Utility District.
“There will be shared plans, and we are in the approval process to utilize that driveway from First Utility District for our access,” Schindler said.
“The plans are to take advantage of the beautiful woods that are right down there next to Turkey Creek,” LDA engineer Lincoln Fugal said. “To get access down there, there is an existing drive that belongs to the utility. We entered into a shared agreement. We’re going to pave their drive in exchange for the use of the access there.
“All the parking stalls will be on a separate lot off the access road itself,” he added. “The access road belongs to the utility. The very end of that drive will remain gravel.
“The rest of it will be asphalt,” Fugal said. “All the way down the trail will be asphalt except for the very end, where we will put a concrete circle so we can install four bolt-in benches.
“The views from there are really nice,” he said. “The dam is just a little upstream of there. It’s just going to be on the downhill side, so you will be able to see where the water comes over the dam in two or three different places.
“We’re really not having to change the grade very much,” Fugal said. “The steepest grade is 6.5 percent, so all of it is within Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.
“It’s a pretty simple plan,” he added. “Minimal impact to trees.”
