River walk among ideas for Veterans

Imagine being able to walk along the Tennessee River, passing historical exhibits that tell the story of how the Shoals began and developed into the area it is today.

From caves to American Indian mounds to antebellum homes, visitors could relive the history of the Shoals, all while spending a day along the Tennessee River.

That idea, known as the Singing River Park, was just one of many brought up Saturday at a meeting of residents discussing possibilities for an attraction at Veterans Park, which is required via an agreement with the Retirement Systems of-Alabama.

More than 20 residents attended the meeting, which was organized by Florence resident Milly Wright, who proposed the Singing River Park idea.

Wright said the historical park could appeal to all ages, with rides, exhibits and demonstrations.

Residents discussed alternatives to a Bass Pro Shops retailer, which has been proposed for the site.

Ideas tossed around at the meeting ranged from a reed organ museum to a massive network of horse trails that could be connected to a rodeo complex, as proposed in a recent letter to the editor.

Bill Dixon, of Florence, said one of the best things about the ideas shared at the meeting was that none was exclusive, and could be woven together.

Dixon said that the eventual attraction at Veterans Park must meet four basic criteria.

"It has to appeal to a broad public, not be one single attraction, support itself financially, and it has to appeal to children and adults," Dixon said.

Several members of the Shoals Environmental Alliance also attended the brainstorming session.

Sheffield's Benita McCay said she would like to see an attraction that takes advantage of the resources Veterans Park already has, without necessarily harming the 80 acres at the park.

Florence's Nancy Muse, an SEA member, liked Wright's idea of the Singing River Park, and thought that a solar-powered home exhibit could likely fit into the attraction.

Bob Osborn promoted the idea of a ferry from Veterans Park to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Courses to accent whatever attraction ends up at the park.

James Bedsole, of Sheffield, said that developing a nature attraction on Patton Island, possibly with a circular walk extending to the Patton Island Bridge, could also accent the area near the attraction.

The Bass Pro proposal also was discussed at the meeting, and many said the outdoors supply store would be more beneficial for the area if it were placed on the east side of O'Neal Bridge, rather than as an attraction at Veterans Park.

David Balazsy said a Bass Pro Shops store would not make sense for the Shoals, because of the government incentives that would be required.

Bass Pro Shops is believed to be seeking almost $20 million in incentives to build a store at Veterans Park.

"It would be turning taxpayer money against the businesses who are already here," Balazsy said.

Sid Hamm and Doug Flippo said that no matter what attraction ends up at Veterans Park, it needs to pay respects to veterans in some way.

"We need to remember the veterans in some way," Hamm said. "It is Veterans Park."

Ty West can be reached at 740-5720 or ty.west@timesdaily.com.