Executive Director, Middle Fork Bottoms Recreational Area

Story by Lyda Kay Ferree, The Southern Lifestyles Lady. Photography by Kristina Only.

David Blackwood grew up on a farm in Madison County, Tennessee where he spent many hours playing in the creeks and forests of the Hatchie River bottoms. Little did he know that his playful experiences would return to him later in life in his career. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In 2005, he returned home to Jackson to begin his career at TLM Associates in a yellow brick building downtown at 117 East Lafayette Street. David’s work in water resources and flood management over the next several years helped him become the Agency Engineer for the West Tennessee River Basin Authority (WTRBA) in 2011. He was promoted to Executive Director in 2019.

His work at the WTRBA is focused on preserving the function of the rivers while protecting infrastructure and resources of the citizens of West Tennessee. David’s experiences with recovery efforts after the deadly floods of May 2019 emphasized the importance of community appreciation for rivers and the power that water can have-- an idea that is only reinforced by the recorded floods in 2011, 2019, and 2021. The WTRBA is engaged in several projects in the Jackson-Madison County area that will share exactly that message. One of those projects is the Middle Fork Bottoms Recreational Area in Three Way, Tennessee.

When he’s not designing a stream or reviewing engineering reports, he’s out in nature with his family. David, his wife Heather, and their four girls—Aubrey, Brianna, Celia, and Delaney-- enjoy getting out on the family farm in Medon or exploring local state parks. You might also catch him speaking to civic groups, leading educational tours, and contributing to research on stream geomorphology and flood frequency.

The Middle Fork Bottoms Recreational Area is a floodplain restoration project that began in 2016 when the National Disaster Resiliency Competition awarded money for flood risk management. The heart of this project aids in flood resiliency and brings the opportunity for families to get outside and enjoy nature. They may take nature walks, do a little bird watching, fishing, biking, kayaking, or just find a cozy spot outdoors and enjoy the nature that surrounds us here in our community.

The recreational area spreads across 850 acres of land, which is roughly the same size as Central Park in New York City. On the property are five miles of paved trails, which may be used for walking, running, and biking. Five fishing lakes that range from two to 10 acres, equaling about 40 acres of water in the recreation area.

Phase I, which includes the grading and paving of trails has just come to full completion with Phase II beginning in Spring 2023.

Phase II will include temporary restroom facilities, trailhead signage, and a few overlooks. This phase will take about two years to complete.

Other phases of this project will follow as funds become available. The hope is to have a Welcome Center with a conference room and a small snack and/or souvenir shop and boardwalks installed within the next three to five years. All of these projects depend on funding.

Currently, the area is open to the public for walking, running, and biking on the paved trail. Hopefully, fishing and kayaking will be offered during the early summer months.

Anyone who wants to fish the lakes on the property must have a fishing license to do so.

A soft opening with a ribbon cutting will be held on June 21 at 11 am.

On the weekend of June 25-26, a Summer Solstice event will take place at the Middle Fork Bottoms Recreational Area. The goal will be to welcome the community to the recreational area to explore the trail and take part in a few activities such as yoga and sound bath meditation sessions on the River Bridge, Kayaking 101, Retriever Dog Demonstrations, a Little Folkies session, biking tours, and more. Food trucks will be on site both days of the event.

VIP: What appeals to you about your position at the Middle Fork Bottoms Recreational Area?

David Blackwood: I am a civil engineer. I came back to Jackson and helped design the Pine Hill Park in Three Way. I left TLM in 2011 to work for the WTRBA. I came in as the engineer. In 2019 when my boss accepted a new position, I assumed his role as director.

VIP: What are the long-range plans and timelines for this attraction?

DB: It will be completed in stages. Plans are to grow and mature and be used by the community. Future projects include about a mile of raised wetland boardwalks through a forest, a Welcome Center with a conference space and some small retail that will support fishing and convenience needs. We want to see events like 5Ks, school field trips, and hopefully some educational tours. It will be a place where a lot of kids and students will experience and talk about animals that they otherwise would never see.

VIP: How did MFBRA acquire the property?

DB: The land belonged to multiple farmers who had real trouble farming the land because the Middle Fork River was located downstream from all the drainage from Jackson. A lot of sand and a lot of flooding presented a real problem for the farmers. They approached us, and we put the project together. It is a win-win for the farmers and the public. The stars were definitely aligned on this one. It is a big property the size of Central Park.

“The Middle Fork Bottoms Recreational Area is the perfect place in West Tennessee for people to experience nature at its best.”

— David Blackwood, Executive Director, The Middle Fork Bottoms Recreational Area

VIP: How many counties does the West Tennessee River Basin cover?

DB: The WTRB has been in existence since the 1970s. We cover 20 counties in West Tennessee. We partner with a group in Hardeman County.

VIP: What may visitors do at the recreational area now?

DB: They may walk and bike and fish (if have a license). Canoeing and kayaking will take place later this year. One main new trail should be open by the fall.

VIP: How is this recreational area funded?

DB: Construction money came from a grant, maintenance is funded through our agency, and events and hopefully new features as the area grows will be funded in part by sponsorships and Friends of the Middle Fork Bottoms.

VIP: Is there an entrance fee, and what are the hours of operation?

DB: There are no plans for an entrance fee. It is a state recreational area and it will be free. The hours are daylight operating hours like other recreational areas.

VIP: Please share easy directions from North Jackson to the WTRB attraction.

DB: If coming from Jackson go north on highway 45. After you pass the Highland Passmore Lane, get into the left lane, go across the river and pass some stores. Go up the hill and before the roadway splits to choose Medina or Humboldt, turn left onto Sanders Bluff Road. Continue down the hill and you will be looking directly into the Middle Fork Bottom. A spit rail wooden fence is your landmark, and a parking lot is around the curve on the left.