The new Memorial Park, created by Putnam County, the City of Cookeville, and TennGreen Land Conservancy, will honor lives lost during the devastating March 3, 2020 tornado.
In March of 2020, a deadly overnight tornado outbreak struck Middle Tennessee, causing significant damage, loss of power, hundreds of injuries, and lives lost forever.
The seventh in a catastrophic storm of tornados to strike the region, a violent EF-4 rated tornado touched down in the early morning hours just northwest of Baxter, TN, traveling along U.S. 70 North. The tornado quickly intensified and wrecked everything in its path, abruptly dissipating after its more-than-eight-mile journey before reaching downtown Cookeville. The resulting damage included devastating harm to businesses, roads, forests, homes, and 19 deaths.
To honor the lives lost during this tragic event and honor the resiliency of our communities, Putnam County, the City of Cookeville, and TennGreen Land Conservancy have announced a joint effort to raise funds to create and establish a new Memorial Park in their honor. Funds raised will be directed to creating this future park, which will include walking trails, playground equipment, and benches.
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TennGreen Land Conservancy, formerly the Tennessee Parks & Greenways Foundation, is an accredited non-profit organization in Tennessee. Its mission is to conserve land where people and nature can thrive. Previous work in the region includes the acquisition of Cummins Falls, a permanent conservation easement and the transfer to public ownership of Bee Rock, the establishment of Blackburn Fork Wildlife Management Area, as well as conservation easements on private lands.
Feature photo by Chuck Sutherland.