Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation recently opened the newly renovated boardwalk at Murfree Springs, located near the Discovery Center. Last October the entire area was shut down for major updates and repairs that were mostly due to aging and weathering.

A local engineer team redesigned the substructure support cable and anchoring system. The redesigned braces and brackets were fabricated by hand and installed individually. Work is still ongoing to complete the entire boardwalk, but a large section of it is now open and ready for use.

“There were many challenges involved in completing the project due to the nature of the location,” said Rachel Singer, assistant director of Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation. “Because the boardwalk is over the water of the wetlands, most of the work had to be done by a small boat. Also, the fabrication of the hardware was made and installed by hand in small batches, which takes time.”

This is a very busy spot due to the vast array of wildlife. Many people walk along the boardwalk to catch sight of the river otters, raccoons, muskrats, beavers and, on occasion, a rare bird.

“The Murfree Spring area is a popular destination for photographers, families and nature lovers of all ages so we are thankful for the public’s patience and that we are now open to visitors again,” Singer said.

Check out the boardwalk over the wetlands at 502 SE Broad St., Murfreesboro.

For more information on Murfreesboro Parks, contact Rachel Singer at rsinger@murfreesborotn.gov.