In July 1997, the city of Spring Hill faced a tragedy when it was discovered that Noel Evans had murdered his wife, Jerry, and then turned the gun on himself. Evans had been a teacher and the longtime principal of Spring Hill Elementary School. Prior to the murder-suicide, Evans had been under investigation for sexual harassment and financial impropriety in regards to school funds.

In September 1997, former mayor and newly appointed alderman Pete Boyd announced that the Spring Hill Lion's Club voted to name the city park Noel Evans Memorial Park. (East, Jim. “Board Taps Former Mayor for Vacant Spring Hill Seat”  The Tennessean, 17 September 1997, p. 9W)

As well loved as Mr. Evans may have been during his tenure as an educator, honoring his memory with a city park is dumbfounding considering how his life ended.

The following year, an 8-year-old student at Spring Hill Elementary School, Casey Marie Sneed, was in a tragic accident at her home on Christmas Eve. She passed two days later at Vanderbilt as a result of her injuries. In 1999, a playground was erected at Evans Park in her memory, along with a castle structure. The playground was lovingly named Casey's Castle. In later years, the wooden playground would be replaced with new equipment, but the castle remains.

While the Evans' family loss is understood and appreciated, having a park named after a man that took the life of his wife doesn't seem prudent. We want to see the name of the park changed.

Suggestions from the community for consideration:

- Renaming it to honor the memory of Casey Marie Sneed

- Renaming it to Jerry Evans Memorial Park, as she was the victim

- Renaming it in memory of Spring Hill Officer Jeremy McLaren. He made the ultimate sacrifice on 2/7/10.