Parks, trails and outdoor places in Cookeville

Cookeville's Department of Leisure Services looks after ten city parks, and they range from a downtown square with a fountain to quiet natural areas where the city's limestone shows through. Add the Tennessee Central Heritage Rail Trail, which starts at the old depot, and most residents are never more than a few minutes from somewhere to walk, ride, fish or paddle.

This guide covers the places people use most, the rules the city publishes for using them safely, and where to find maps.

Cane Creek Park: the lake, the loops and the bike trail

Cane Creek Park, off C C Camp Road on the west side of town, is the city's largest outdoor space and the one most people mean when they say they're going to the park. It is built around a 56-acre lake with two fishing piers, and in the warmer months a concession stand rents paddleboats, kayaks and canoes. The park also has an 18-hole disc golf course, pollinator fields, playgrounds, a dog park and picnic shelters.

For walkers and runners, the city's trail map breaks the paths into color-coded segments that combine into loops of roughly 1.8 to 1.9 miles. Mountain bikers have their own trail of a little over two miles, and a separate path of about 1.75 miles, named for Tommy Thomas, follows West Jackson Street along the railroad. The same map marks a proposed walking trail with new parking and facilities on the park's southern side.

Keep an eye out for the sculptures as you go. Art Round Tennessee and the city placed a turtle built from bike parts, a praying mantis and an interactive, percussive bike rack in memory of Tommy Thomas around the park.

The rail trail from the depot

The Tennessee Central Heritage Rail Trail follows the old railroad north from the Cookeville Depot Museum on West Broad Street. It runs past the city's farmers market on Mahler Avenue and Cinderella Park, then across the city line to Walter L. Bilbrey Park in Algood. The city's map puts it at about 4.3 miles one way, with water fountains and restrooms at the depot end.

At the Cookeville entrance, riders pass under Spokes, a 14-foot-tall arch made from bicycles that residents donated, and a weathervane bike rack called Awesome Fred Eagle marks the Washington Avenue and 12th Street entrance.

The trail starts on the WestSide, where Ralph's Donut Shop on South Cedar Avenue has been making donuts by hand since 1962, and SoulCraft Coffee has a café at 715 Mahler Avenue, along the trail's route north.

Natural areas: City Lake, Ensor Sink and Capshaw

City Lake Natural Area, off Bridgeway Drive, is a 35-acre lake known for catfish, bass and bream, and it is a popular place to put in a kayak. It was the site of Cookeville's first water treatment plant, and a short trail leads past one of the old structures to a waterfall.

Ensor Sink Natural Area on Clover Hill Road is small but unusual. It sits in the heart of town around one of the city's sinkholes, and a gazebo kiosk explains Cookeville's sinkhole system. There are walking trails, picnic tables, a small amphitheater and a stone council ring used by scout and nature groups.

Capshaw Park, at Stevens Street and South Maple next to Capshaw Elementary, is another natural area with trails and picnic tables, and Walnut Park, behind the senior citizens center on South Walnut Avenue, has a paved walking loop and a gazebo.

Downtown green: Dogwood Park

Dogwood Park on East Broad Street is where downtown takes a breath. It has a rose garden, an interactive fountain that runs from April through October, the fully accessible Heart of the City Playground, and the performance pavilion that hosts the city's summer concerts and its Christmas tree lighting.

Staying safe in every season

The city publishes a few rules worth knowing before you go.

• Hours change with the seasons. Cane Creek Park, City Lake and Ensor Sink close earlier, at 6 p.m., from October 31 until daylight saving time returns in March, so winter walks need to start early.
• On the water at Cane Creek, children 12 and under must have an adult in the boat and wear a life jacket, which the rental stand provides.
• Dogs must be leashed and cleaned up after under the city's leash law, and animals aren't allowed at the Cane Creek SportsPlex. Alcohol is not permitted at Cane Creek Park.
• At the Dogwood Park fountain, the deck can be slippery: no running, water shoes are recommended, and bikes, riding toys and pets stay out of the water.
• In summer, the Cane Creek Splashpad by the recreation center is the city's own suggestion for beating the heat.

Maps and conditions

The city posts PDF maps of the Cane Creek Park trails and of the rail trail, and the Cane Creek Park page links to an interactive Trailforks map for biking, walking and running. Each park's page on the city website lists its address, amenities and seasonal hours, and links to a citywide parks map. For questions about a trail or to report a problem such as a downed tree, Leisure Services answers by phone on weekdays, and the city's online problem reporter takes requests any time.

Whether it is a lunchtime loop at Cane Creek, a ride from the depot or a quiet hour at City Lake, Cookeville's outdoor places are close by and easy to reach, in every season.