Community Development

Area analysis

• Introduction
• Transportation
• Medical facilities
• Recreation
• Tipton County Schools
• Housing

Tipton County is located north of Memphis and Shelby County, approximated 18 miles from its most southern border to Memphis. Covington is the county seat and the largest of eight incorporated communities: Atoka, Brighton, Munford, Burlison, Garland, Mason and Gilt Edge. The county is one of the fastest growing counties in the State of Tennessee and the Mid-South region. The county offers all the advantages of small-town living with the nearby amenities of a major city.

Population (for the entire county)

           1950                                29,782
           1960                                28,564
           1970                                23,001
           1990                                37,568
           2000                                51,271
           2004 (estimate)                54,184

Transportation
Thousands of vehicles travel the north-south U. S. Highway 51 that runs through the heart of Covington and Tipton County. Access to Interstate 40 is possible through Mason or neighboring Haywood and Shelby counties. It is approximately 20 miles from Covington to I-40 and 30 miles to access Interstate 55.
The Covington Municipal Airport is north of the city and features a 5,000-foot runway that can accommodate up to small jets. There is a modern terminal with facilities for pilots and meetings.  Memphis International Airport is located about 40 minutes away and provides over 350 daily flights to major cities and also serves as the headquarters for Federal Express.

Medical facilities
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton is located on the south side of Covington. This fully accredited facility handles general medical, surgical, and obstetrical patients. There are approximately 300 employs. The hospital is equipped with 100 beds. A six-bed observation unit, adjacent to the emergency room, was added in 2000.
Many other health related services are offered in Covington, including Professional Counseling Services, Covington Manor Nursing Center, Covington Care Center, REMS Tipton Ambulance Service and the Tipton County Health Department. Additionally, many physicians call Covington and Tipton County home, from Chiropractic to podiatry; from general practice to obstetrics and from cardiovascular to urological. Click here for link to Baptist Memorial Hospital Tipton

Recreation
Covington and Tipton County abound with opportunities for outdoor sports.
Cobb-Parr Memorial Park-The largest park in the Covington area, Cobb-Parr Memorial Park houses many special facilities and serves the most serious recreation enthusiast. Local sports leagues, and park user groups assist the city in providing organized recreation opportunities for the citizens of Covington and Tipton County. The park is used for many special community events including the Tipton County Bar-B-Que Festival held each year in the fall.
Some 80 acres encompass the park area, the Covington Integrated Arts Academy and the Tipton County Alternative Learning Center grounds. This unique school-park recreation area is a focal point for the entire community.
The history of the park is one of community involvement and dedication of local citizens striving to increase recreation opportunities. In 1954, the Covington Jaycees purchased farm land from J. J. Whitley to develop a community park. Jaycee members, under the leadership of Jerol Hopkins, Petie Watkins and Charlie Moss, started clearing efforts and a picnic area was completed. Over 50 years have passed and the development in Cobb-Parr Memorial Park continues. --Project Play One of the newest facilities is Project Play, located within the boundaries of Cobb-Parr Memorial Park. The unique facility was built by volunteers who contributed money and time to its construction. The playground is open daily from sun-up to sun-down and is for young children only. 

--Frazier Park is a 10 acre city park that offers a wide variety of outdoor recreation experiences. The area is open year-round to the public and offers the following amenities:
• 1/2 mile fitness trail with exercise stations
• 3 playground areas (1 for special populations)
• 2 lighted outdoor basketball courts, softball field with concession stand and restrooms.
• 2 picnic pavilions with tables (available on a first-come, first served basis)
Once a school campus, Frazier Park is the home site for several community agencies, including the West Tennessee Headstart Program, Children and Family Services, and the Frazier Alumni Asso ciation. These groups assist the city by providing organized recreation programs to youth of all ages. Annual special events include the Frazier Fun Fest held in June -- a celebration of community pride, heritage, cultural arts and education; and the Frazier Alumni Association 4th of July Family Picnic.

.--Shelton Park- Shelton Park is a small one acre garden park nestled between beautiful trees and landscaping. A lighted Gazebo offers a perfect spot for weddings, concerts, and other outdoor community gatherings. Picnic tables are available. Shelton Park is the focus of the Covington Parks and Recreation Department's Earth Day Celebration in April. Educational displays and other information on environmental protection are made available to local citizens.
Gazebo rentals are available by calling the Parks and Recreation Department at 476-1107. Security deposits and rental fees may apply.

--Patriot Park - This park was dedicated on Nov. 11, 2004. Centerpiece to this park is an A-4L Skyhawk Attack Bomber. This bomber was utilized extensively during the Vietnam Conflict and was developed to provide better ground attack and support services.
Around 1995, efforts began to obtain a Skyhawk Attack Bomber. The Tipton County Veterans’ Council envisioned the bomber as a compliment to the planned Tipton County Museum,, Veterans’ Memorial, and Nature Center and was to be placed nearby. In 1996, the bomber was procured and subsequently loaned to the City of Covington by the National Museum of Naval Aviation. The bomber underwent extensive renovation. The name of Captain Nels Tanner was added to the jet as a permanent tribute to this Tipton County hero’s service during the Vietnam Conflict. Captain Tanner was piloting a similar aircraft when he was shot down over North Vietnam on Oct. 9, 1966. He was captured by the Viet Cong and spent almost seven years incarcerated in Hanoi as a Prisoner of War.

Park on the Square is located on the North side of Court Square. This park will provide a relaxing place for downtown visitors to come and relax. Click here for link to Covington's Parks and Recreation.

Tipton County Schools
More than 12,000 students are enrolled in the Tipton County School System. There are four elementary schools, grades K - 5, in Covington, Brighton, Munford and Drummonds; three middle schools: Covington, Brighton and Munford and high schools in Covington, Munford and Brighton.
In addition, there is the Covington Integrated Arts Academy, whose primary focus is on the performing arts. Crestview Elementary and Crestview Middle School are also involved in specialized academies, for Math, Science and Technology.

The Tennessee Technology Center is located in Covington with a satellite office in Munford. Covington also has a campus of Dyersburg State Community College, offering associate degrees in many courses of study. Click here for link to Tipton County Schools.

Housing
Tipton County is one of the fastest growing counties in the Mid-South. Since 2000, more than 2,000 new homes have been added to the tax rolls. The majority of the new homes have been south of Covington, but even this community is beginning to see an influx of new home construction.

For more information on economic and community development opportunities in Covington,
Tipton County or Tennessee, visit http://tennessee.gov/ecd/