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Columbia Gives $230,000 Toward Miracle League’s Accessible Playground at Maury County Park

Issue #839

October 16, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

☁️ Columbia’s Friday Weather - Cloudy w/ high of 68, low of 49

📰 Columbia Gives $230,000 Toward Miracle League’s Accessible Playground at Maury County Park

📰 Maury County School Board Approves Ten Commandments Displays in Schools

🗓 MEGA List of Upcoming Events!

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Columbia Gives $230,000 Toward Miracle League’s Accessible Playground at Maury County Park

The Miracle League of Columbia is one step closer to building a playground for children with special needs, after Columbia City Council approved a $230,000 donation to the nonprofit.

The money will go toward Taye’s Place, a playground planned next to the Miracle League’s field at Maury County Park. The playground is designed for children with disabilities and other needs, and it makes up the second phase of the league’s project.

The first phase converted the park’s Babe Ruth Field into a ballfield where children with special needs can play baseball. That work broke ground in August 2025 at a cost of $2.7 million, funded by $1 million from Maury County Parks & Recreation and $1.7 million raised from sponsors, individual donors and community members.

The field has already seen steady use. According to league founder and president Robin Estep, 61 players took part in the league’s first season this year, and 78 have signed up for the fall season.

Funding the playground has been more of a challenge. A presentation the league gave to city leaders estimated Taye’s Place will cost $728,469, and only $230,000 remained available for it through the county. The city’s donation doubles that amount, but leaves about $268,469 still to be raised. Once complete, the total investment in the Miracle League project would come to about $3.4 million.

Mayor Chaz Molder said the donation reflects the city’s commitment to accessible recreation and to making sure every child has a place to play and feel included. Estep thanked the sponsors, donors, volunteers, players, coaches and families who have supported the league, and asked the community to help finish the project.

Councilwoman Cheryl Secrest also encouraged local organizations and individuals to consider contributing toward playground equipment. Those interested can contact the league’s board, and donors can have their names placed on the equipment they help fund.

To donate to Taye’s Place or learn about volunteer opportunities, visit ColumbiaMiracleLeague.com.

Maury County School Board Approves Ten Commandments Displays in Schools

Maury County Public Schools can now display the Ten Commandments in its school buildings after the Maury County Board of Education approved a resolution allowing it during its Oct. 13 meeting. The measure passed 9-2.

The resolution follows a new state law, Public Chapter 924, which the Tennessee General Assembly passed this year and which took effect July 1. The law gives local school boards the option to display the Ten Commandments, the first sentence of the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence’s preamble and the preamble to the U.S. Constitution in a prominent location inside school buildings.

District 11 board member Kathy Mikula, who made the motion, said the law is meant to serve a historical and educational purpose by helping students learn about documents tied to the country’s founding.

The two board members who voted against the resolution, District 6’s Sue Stephenson and District 3’s Jamila Brown, raised concerns about the possibility of lawsuits. Both indicated they weren’t opposed to the idea itself but felt the board should hold off for now. The board had received a memo from district attorney Joshua Hogan addressing the legal questions, and Hogan told members that while litigation is always possible, he wasn’t aware of any pending lawsuits tied to similar resolutions elsewhere in Tennessee.

Making friends as an adult is weirdly hard. Maybe this will help… Join the What’s Up Columbia! Dinner Club on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 6:30 PM. We’ll match you with five people for dinner at a downtown restaurant, then all the tables meet up at a surprise after-party. Book your seat here.

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Friday, October 16th

Saturday, October 17th

Sunday, October 18th

Monday, October 19th

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Friday, October 16
TBA - The Spot: Burgers & Beer, 5-8 PM
Ben Guidry - Buck & Board, 6-8 PM
Stevierock - Acapulco Mexican Grill, 6:30-8:30 PM
Nick Bentley - Grinder’s Switch Winery, 7-9 PM
Tom & Robert - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7-9 PM
Kathy Troccoli - The Mulehouse, 7:30 PM
Bird and the Bear - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30-9 PM
Second Chance Bluegrass - Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM
Brandon Bartley - Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, October 17
Ben Daniel - Keg Springs Winery, 2-5 PM
The Vineyard Sessions - Natchez Hills Vineyard, 2-5 PM
Martin Lane - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3-7 PM
Maury County Community Band - Riverwalk Park, 3 PM
Open Mic - Grinder’s Switch Winery, 4-7 PM
Box of Rox - Hampshire Hills Distillery, 5-9 PM
Mt Pleasant Music on the Porch Series - Delta Recovery, 6-9 PM
Stevierock Acoustic Duo - McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7-9 PM
Curated Writers Round - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Sarah Morey & Kolton Armstrong - Puckett’s, 7:30-9 PM

Sunday, October 18
The Sins - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1-5 PM

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