Greeneville's birthplace, known as the Big Spring, is one step closer to becoming an even more beautiful local landmark.

A joint beautification project among various clubs in Greeneville and the city's Public Works Department is progressing smoothly, according to Madge Walker, director of the Greeneville Greene County Public Library.

City employees by Monday had poured a decorative concrete plot on which will sit three picnic tables and have moved existing concrete picnic tables under the trees in the bicentenial park.

Planted within the decorative concrete slab is a large white crape myrtle. Also, large stones have been placed for extra seating behind the library.

Plans for a concrete stage have been put on hold for this summer. "We just don't have time to build it this summer," Walker said.

According to the library's director, the Big Spring's beautification should be complete enough to begin "Music at the Spring" the first Tuesday in August.

"Music at the Spring" will host musical artists during the evening beginning at approximately 5 p.m. and will be open to the public. This summer, performers will be staged on the brick directly behind the library.

Walker hopes to have the evening coincide with The Farmer's Market which has recently been held nearby on Tuesday evenings from 4 to 7 p.m.

"Families that work and can't make it to the morning Farmer's Market (on Saturday) have the chance to make it Tuesday evenings and find really fresh food, too," Walker said.

Walker thinks that families will benefit from having the opportunity to enjoy both activities. She said that in years to come the "Music at the Spring" will run from the spring to the fall.

Work still to be completed on the Big Spring project includes the completion of the picnic tables which will sit on the concrete slab behind the library, the brick edge around the concrete slab, and the restoration of a stone wall by the spring.

The Democratic Woman's Club has already purchased wood for the construction of the picnic tables. Also purchased and yet to be placed is a cyprass bench.

Two more rocks will be placed in the Big Spring. One will read "The Big Spring" and will be placed near the Big Spring within view of Main Street.

There are even plans for a stone to be carved with a quote from Cicero, the famous Roman. It will read, "If you have a garden and a library you have everything you need."