Lenoir City honored a former county mayor and two other residents with recent additions and improvements at Lenoir City Park.
The ribbon cutting ceremony announced that the city’s dog park would be named after Edwin T. “Ed” Loy, while a refurbished walking trail recognized Benny Ray Johnson and George M. Miller.
Mayor Tony Aikens said he and members of Lenoir City Council worked together to decide on the three individuals selected for the dedications.
“It’s one of those decisions that came pretty easily,” Aikens said.
The city was named a winner of the 2022 Tennessee Dog Dash grant to add equipment and improve the existing dog park. Randy and Jenny Boyd of the Boyd Foundation awarded the $25,000 in July.
While not involved in the grant, Aikens said Loy built the dog park and never asked for anything except permits.
Loy’s family, including first cousin Tony Hale, was present for the ceremony. Hale said Loy, who died in January, always invested in the community and built a set of restrooms in the park. Loy ran Fort Loudon Marina for 40 years.
“I think it’s important to the family,” Hale said. “Because I think during his life people tried to give him awards and tried to give him person of the year, but he just didn’t want that recognition. Now that he’s gone he’s got it, and I think it’s important for people to remember what he did do for the community.”
Work on the walking trail was completed “in house,” Aikens said. In partnership with Loudon County Chamber of Commerce, the city improved sidewalks and the pond with funds obtained by the American Rescue Plan Act.
Aikens said the city had employees and people in place to construct the walking trail without the need of an engineer. He said he gives a lot of credit for creation of the trail to Don White, public safety director and police chief, and Street Superintendent J.J Cox.
The trail goes into a wooded section of the park around a small pond and connects to the dog park. At night, LED lighting illuminates the path so members of the community can feel safe walking the trail, Aikens said.
The trail is named after Benny Ray Johnson, who was 12 years old when he died in 1959 after falling between the cars of a miniature train that used to run in the park. Johnson was chasing his twin brother, Danny, when he fell.
The walking trail travels the same pathway as the former tracks.
“Sixty-three years ago is a long time to be remembered,” Russell Johnson, brother of Benny Ray, said. “It’s very touching, very moving. Some people will still be here that live locally in the town who knew Benny. … Some others that have just spoken with us today remember growing up in church with Benny. He was only 12, but they remember him pretty well, and that was very fitting that they chose to remember him this way.”
Benny Ray’s sister, Debbie Gossage, was born after his death.
“I think it’s awesome that his memory is still here,” Gossage said. “It’s special for our family.”
Aikens said Miller was responsible for growth along the city’s U.S. Highway 321 corridor after being instrumental in relocating the local hospital to the area.
Miller served as county executive, the position now titled county mayor. Miller and his family were in attendance at the ceremony.
Miller said he was surprised when he learned the trail was also named after him.
“I really appreciate the honor and the gratitude,” he said. “I sure do thank you and (it’ll) be something I always remember.”
