The City of Murfreesboro has big plans to expand Barfield Crescent Park by 70 acres at the park’s southern border, which will bring the park’s total amount of acres to 475.

The natural land known as Oakwood Farm will provide an extension of open natural parkland for public use by preserving natural areas, providing outdoor recreation and environmental education experiences.

The plan and surplus designation have been approved by the Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Commission, the Murfreesboro Planning Commission and the Murfreesboro City Council.

“We are delighted to announce the expansion of Barfield Crescent Park with adjoining natural landscape for the recreational benefit of residents, said Murfreesboro Parks Executive Director Angela Jackson. “It will serve as a hub for the Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department’s Natural Resources Division and provide for expansion of Outdoor Murfreesboro programming.”

Preservation of natural areas for the conservation of natural habitat for wildlife and native plants will be managed through the Parks Department’s Natural Resources division.

“The newly added Oakwood Farm property has woodland areas, open fields, ponds, streams and wetlands,” Jackson added.

“The western property boundary is along the West Fork of the Stones River, allowing the Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department to develop hiking trails to connect with the existing trail system at Barfield Crescent Park and use the site for outdoor recreation programs.”