Last Edited: June 24, 2026 @ 4:14 pm

The Montgomery County Health Council is proud to announce it has been awarded a $25,000 grant through the 2026 AARP Community Challenge program, with funding support provided by Toyota Motor North America, to implement pedestrian safety, placemaking, and beautification improvements near the intersections of Crossland Avenue and Pageant Lane, Highway Drive and Pageant Lane, and Richardson Road and Crossland Avenue. The project will strengthen connections between Moore Magnet Elementary School, Veterans Plaza, the Montgomery County Public Library, the Senior Citizens Center, and surrounding neighborhoods, creating safer and more welcoming spaces for residents of all ages and abilities.

Through community engagement, walk audits, and corridor assessments, the Montgomery County Health Council and its partners identified opportunities to improve pedestrian safety, accessibility, and neighborhood connectivity throughout the project area. The grant will support improvements that make it easier and safer for residents to access schools, public facilities, and community gathering spaces.

"This project demonstrates what can happen when a community comes together around a shared vision," said Karen Reynolds, Chair of the Montgomery County Health Council and Project Manager for the Walk Audit Project. "The improvements funded through this grant were shaped by residents and community stakeholders who participated in walk audits and shared their ideas for creating safer, more welcoming spaces. I am grateful to everyone who contributed their time, expertise, and support, and I look forward to continuing this work together."

The project was developed through a partnership led by the Montgomery County Health Council and Replant Clarksville, which serves as the project's fiscal sponsor. Additional partners include Montgomery County Government, the City of Clarksville, Clarksville Strong Towns, the Arts and Heritage Development Council, Austin Peay State University, neighborhood stakeholders, and numerous community organizations and volunteers whose participation helped identify priorities and shape the proposed improvements.

Planned corridor enhancements include:

• Installation of enhanced crosswalks at key school and pedestrian crossings
• Public art enhancements to strengthen community identity and create more welcoming public spaces
• Tree planting and native landscaping to provide shade, improve comfort for pedestrians, and enhance the corridor's appearance
• Cleanup, beautification, and placemaking improvements to create more attractive and inviting public spaces

The project supports broader efforts to improve mobility, encourage active transportation, and create safer routes between Moore Magnet Elementary School, Veterans Plaza, the Montgomery County Public Library, the Senior Citizens Center, and surrounding neighborhoods.

"We appreciate the Montgomery County Health Council's leadership in pursuing this opportunity and look forward to supporting these efforts that will improve walkability and quality of life for the residents who live in and use that area," said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden.

Additional details regarding project implementation and volunteer opportunities will be announced as work progresses.

This project was funded by a grant from AARP with funding support provided by Toyota Motor North America.

With funding support provided by Toyota Motor North America, the AARP Community Challenge grant program is expanding its investment in pedestrian safety projects that improve street design, enhance mobility, and promote pedestrian safety for people of all ages.

About the Montgomery County Health Council
The Montgomery County Health Council serves as a collaborative forum for organizations, agencies, and residents working to improve health outcomes and quality of life throughout Montgomery County. The Council identifies community priorities, fosters partnerships, and supports projects that address the social, environmental, and economic factors that influence health, including access to safe transportation, healthy neighborhoods, and community resources.

About the AARP Community Challenge 
The AARP Community Challenge grant program supports projects that improve public places, housing, transportation, digital connectivity, disaster resilience, and more. In 2026, Toyota Motor North America is funding pedestrian safety projects that aim to enhance streets and sidewalks nationwide. Microsoft is supporting digital connections projects aimed at expanding access to and adoption of high-speed internet (broadband). These grants are part of AARP’s broader Livable Communities initiative, which helps neighborhoods, towns, cities, and counties across the country become great places for people of all ages. 

AARP believes communities should offer: 
• Safe, walkable streets 
• Affordable and accessible housing and transportation options 
• Access to essential services 
• Opportunities for residents to engage and participate fully in community life 

To explore all 750 projects funded this year – or to view an interactive map of current and past Community Challenge projects – visit AARP.org/CommunityChallenge. Learn more about AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities work at AARP.org/Livable.

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Last Edited: June 22, 2026 @ 2:40 pm

On behalf of the Imagination Library of Montgomery County:

As the Imagination Library of Montgomery County (ILMC) celebrates 20 years of service, the organization is recognizing individuals, businesses, civic groups, and community partners whose generosity continues to place books into the hands of thousands of local children each month.

Since 2006, ILMC has helped foster a love of reading and learning by providing free, age-appropriate books to enrolled children from birth to age five. Today, the program ensures between 9,300 and 9,800 books each month reach children throughout Montgomery County, helping families build home libraries and prepare preschoolers for success.

"Twenty years of service would not have been possible without the support of our community," said Bobette Bouton, Advisory Board Chairperson for Imagination Library of Montgomery County. "Every donor, sponsor, volunteer, and advocate has helped create opportunities for local children to discover the joy of reading. Together, we are investing in the future for thousands of families across Montgomery County."

ILMC is operated by a dedicated volunteer board and relies on local support to sustain the program. To continue serving every enrolled child, the organization must raise approximately $12,000 to $13,000 each month locally, ensuring that books continue arriving in children's mailboxes month after month.

Looking Ahead: Annual Adult Spelling Bee

As enrollment grows, community support remains essential to sustaining and expanding the program's impact. The next opportunity to support ILMC’s literacy efforts is the Bee-lieve in Literacy: Adult Spelling Bee Showdown, scheduled for August 18, 2026.

The event brings together local businesses, educators, community leaders, and literacy advocates for an evening of friendly competition, laughter, and fundraising. Proceeds directly support the cost of providing books to children throughout Montgomery County. Details will be announced soon.

How You Can Help

As ILMC begins its next chapter, community members are invited to join the mission of ensuring every child has access to books during the critical early years of development. Whether through donation, sponsorship, volunteer service, or attendance at fundraising events, every contribution helps invest in the future of Montgomery County.

The community has helped make this program possible for 20 years. With continued support, thousands more children will open their mailboxes to discover the excitement of a new book and the possibilities it brings.

For more information about ILMC, enrollment opportunities, volunteer involvement, or upcoming events, contact Bobette Bouton. ILMC Advisory Board Chairperson at 
boutonb@apsu.edu

Recognizing 2025 Community Supporters
The Community Health Foundation, Google, United Way of the Greater Nashville Region, Kiwanis of Clarksville, and Square Up Foundation (Strawberry Alley and The Mailroom) were the largest local contributors to the ILMC program in 2025, and the ILMC also proudly recognizes the numerous individuals and organizations that contribute to bringing books to children through financial or silent auction donations.
 

The Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), is launching a multi-year habitat restoration and community engagement initiative aimed at transforming utility corridor spaces within Rotary Park into thriving native pollinator habitat. 

Through a designated contribution of $25,000 from TVA, the project will support restoration efforts beneath the transmission line corridor at Rotary Park over the next three years, with the potential for future partnership renewal based on project success and community impact. 

The partnership was formed following routine TVA vegetation management activities conducted in 2023 beneath the transmission lines at Rotary Park. In response, the MoCo Parks and Recreation Programming team began working collaboratively through the Wade Bourne Nature Center with TVA to identify more sustainable long-term land management strategies that would protect critical infrastructure while also supporting native wildlife habitat.  

As part of the collaboration, Rotary Park was designated as a TVA “Sensitive Zone,” allowing the area to be maintained organically under vegetation standards compatible with utility safety requirements. 

Since receiving this designation, volunteers, staff, and community partners have already begun restoration work throughout the corridor, including native wildflower seeding, invasive species removal, riparian zone management, and habitat preparation using locally collected native seed mixes sourced through Roundstone Native Seed. 

The long-term vision includes restoring approximately 10 acres beneath the utility corridor and adjacent fields into resilient pollinator habitat designed to support butterflies, bees, birds, and other native wildlife species. The project will also incorporate educational signage, wildlife support infrastructure such as bat boxes and purple martin housing, and a wide variety of public programs focused on conservation and citizen science. 

“This project represents a unique opportunity to demonstrate how infrastructure management and ecological stewardship can work hand-in-hand,” said Katie Netti, Natural Resource and Programming Supervisor with MoCo Parks and Recreation. “We are incredibly excited to engage the community in meaningful conservation work that will have long-term ecological benefits for our region.” 

Community engagement through the Wade Bourne Nature Center programming will play a major role throughout the initiative. Planned events include pollinator education workshops, native plant programs, invasive species removal days, citizen science initiatives, the Pollinator & Native Plant Summit, Bumble Bee Atlas participation, and volunteer restoration workdays. 

The initiative is expected to serve as a regional model for collaborative environmental management by demonstrating how public agencies, conservation organizations, volunteers, and utility providers can work together to restore native habitat while maintaining critical infrastructure. 

For additional information about upcoming volunteer opportunities and programs, visit the Montgomery County Parks & Recreation website, social media pages or call the Wade Bourne Nature Center at 931-648-5732. 

Groups interested in volunteering, educational partnerships, or participating in habitat restoration efforts are encouraged to contact the Wade Bourne Nature Center at naturecenter@montgomerytn.gov or 931-648-5780.

Montgomery County Government proudly announces that Safety & Risk Director Jennifer Hood was officially installed as President of the Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA) during the organization's Annual Conference held June 10, 2026, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

PRIMA is the nation's largest and premier association dedicated to advancing public sector risk management, serving thousands of risk management, insurance, and safety professionals across the United States. As President, Hood will provide leadership and strategic direction for the organization while representing public risk management professionals nationwide.

Hood has served Montgomery County Government for 17 years as Safety & Risk Director, overseeing the County's safety program, general liability insurance program, and employee injury management initiatives. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her commitment to protecting employees, reducing organizational risk, and promoting a culture of workplace safety and accountability.

"Being sworn in as PRIMA President is one of the greatest honors of my professional career," said Hood. "Public service is about making a positive difference in the lives of others. I am grateful to Montgomery County Government, Mayor Golden, my colleagues, and my family for their support throughout this journey. I look forward to serving our profession and helping public entities across the country build safer workplaces, stronger organizations, and more resilient communities."

Hood has been an active member of PRIMA for many years, serving on committees and the Board of Directors, and most recently as President-Elect. She is also a past President of Tennessee PRIMA and was named the Tennessee PRIMA Risk Manager of the Year in 2021.

"Congratulations to Jennifer Hood on her election as President of PRIMA. Her dedication to public service is evident every day through her leadership as Montgomery County’s Safety & Risk Director. We are proud to see her take on this important national leadership role," said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden.

For more about the Montgomery County Safety and Risk Management Department, visit https://montgomerytn.gov/risk-management.

Last Edited: June 17, 2026 @ 9:02 am

Montgomery County Government offices will be closed on Friday, June 19, 2026, in observance of the Juneteenth federal holiday. All County offices will reopen on Monday, June 22, during normal hours of operation. 

For online services available through Montgomery County Government, visit the GOV tab at montgomerytn.gov 

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