Did you know the national average for the percentage of residents who live within a 10-minute walk of a park is 54 percent? Knoxville is just shy at 49 percent with 93,255 people living near a park. While we think our abundance of parks and recreational opportunities is fantastic, exceeding the national average would demonstrate that we are a healthy community with abundant opportunities.
It’s not just about overachieving. Research shows that across all age groups, greater access to parks is associated with lower body mass index and reduced risk of obesity, so get out and play.
Whatever activity you enjoy the most or want to learn, Knoxville is the place for outdoor fun with 125 parks to choose from, covering 3,210 total acres, and an offering of diverse outdoor opportunities. We’re rich in parks, natural areas, blueways and greenways, forests, flower-covered fields, quarry lakes, creeks, rivers and exciting bluffs. There are waters to paddle, rocks to climb and trails to wander. Something for families, individuals, kids and pets.
Don’t know where to go? The Get Out and Play! Guide is a complete directory of all parks, trails, and greenways in Knoxville and the surrounding area, and includes major regional parks and trails. The guide is available in health care facilities, at outreach events, schools, and the Legacy Parks’ office at the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center – and a digital version is available here.
Our local clubs and shops get out and play weekly with an open invitation for you to join. For a full list of upcoming activities, visit OutdoorKnoxville.com.