TLM was selected to provide civil engineering services for the Discovery Park of America. The intent of this development is to present exhibits and activities for people to experience history, nature, art and science within a 50-acre complex of gardens and buildings. The main building is a 100,000 square foot museum located near the center of the site. Several period buildings such as a train station, Liberty Hall, blacksmith shop and others are situated in small groupings throughout the park. These areas are all connected by handicap accessible walkways that meander throughout the rolling terrain of the site. The project includes a small lake and canal system that begins at a working grist mill fed by an onsite well and terminates at a small lake/wetlands exhibit intended to depict Reelfoot Lake. The canal system includes several small dams to provide water features throughout the site and is crossed in two locations by pedestrian bridges. The project site will be extensively contoured and landscaped. Three botanical gardens (Formal, American and Japanese) are all located on the site.
TLM provided the grading plan for the project which includes several landscape berms, a raised amphitheater near the great lawn, the canal system and the hill on which the grist mill is situated. The grading includes assuring that both handicap and fire protection accessibility is maintained to all exhibit areas. TLM also designed the storm sewer system, parking and driveway network, the site utilities and the site erosion and sediment control plans. TLM took the lead in acquiring the environmental permits necessary for the site development as well as working with the Tennessee Department of Transportation in designing the highway improvements necessary to provide entry to the park.
