LEGACY PARKS CELEBRATES 20 YEARS AMONG 1,000 SUPPORTERS
Legacy Parks Foundation marked its 20th anniversary on 9/26/25 to a sold-out crowd of more than 1,000 guests at the Foundation’s annual Legacy Luncheon for the Parks.
Over the past two decades, Legacy Parks has partnered with public and private organizations to preserve natural spaces, create parks and trails, and expand outdoor recreation. From the creation of the Urban Wilderness – Knoxville’s nationally recognized 1,000-acre outdoor adventure destination – to the establishment of the region’s first intergenerational playspace and first adaptive trails, the Foundation has championed projects that make the outdoors welcoming for all.
Among its many accomplishments, Legacy Parks has:
- Created 19 new parks across Knox County, expanding access to green space and recreation for neighborhoods throughout the community
- Raised $21 million for parks, trails and access by leveraging private donations, grants and partnerships
- Added the first adaptive docks and trails in the region, creating access to recreation for those with disabilities
- Preserved two islands and over 1,000 acres in Knox County, protecting forests, farmland, ridges, and riverfronts for generations to come
- Developed the French Broad Veterans Memorial Park, honoring service members with a lasting, living memorial
- Reimagined donated land into new outdoor spaces, including the Fountain City Skatepark, Angora Frog Farm, Collier Preserve, Baker Creek Preserve and the Veterans Memorial Park
“These are more than projects – they are gifts to us and to our community,” said Carol Evans, executive director of Legacy Parks Foundation. “Each park and trail project reflects the shared vision of a community that values its natural beauty and believes in creating spaces where everyone has a place in our outdoors.”
Evans announced a 25-acre donation of land in north Knoxville to be announced later this fall. As well as a recently awarded grant from the Siddiqi Foundation to create a safe walking path for middle school students.
Keynote speaker, Diana Nyad, shared her inspiring life story of perseverance in becoming the first person to complete the 110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida.
Sarah Rump of Legacy Parks shared information and quotes for this report.
Groundbreaking ahead for Pleasant Ridge Road Phase II
Mayor Indya Kincannon, District 3 city council representative Seema Singh and other council members, city staff, members of the project construction team, and Pleasant Ridge Elementary students and teachers will gather for a ground-breaking at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, at Pleasant Ridge Elementary School, 3013 Walnoaks Road, Knoxville.
In a press statement, the city said, “Work is beginning in earnest on the $18.9 million city investment to widen Pleasant Ridge Road from Merchant Drive to the city limits.” The project especially will benefit the elementary school.
“Public safety is Job No. 1,” Kincannon said. “Every child living near a school needs and deserves a safe walking path if they want to walk with their friends to their neighborhood school.
“Here at Pleasant Ridge Elementary, we’re building turn lanes, a new sidewalk, a greenway across the street, and marked pedestrian crossings.”
Charles Blalock & Sons crews have begun the preliminary work on the two-year project, which will add turn lanes at Walnoaks Road, the Pleasant Ridge Elementary School driveway, Sullivan Road, Murray Drive, Wadsworth Drive and Autumn Landing. Sidewalks and a new 1.25-mile greenway will be constructed, and utilities will be upgraded.
This project complements earlier Pleasant Ridge Road Phase I work, an $8.76 million project that added turn lanes, sidewalks and utility upgrades on a 1.3-mile section of Pleasant Ridge between Merchant Drive and Interstate 640. The Phase II work is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027.
Spotted Lanternfly Detected in Knox County
Spotted Lanternfly on tree (Photos provided by TN Department of Agriculture)
Spotted Lanternfly eggs on a tree trunk
The TN Department of Agriculture is reporting spotted lanternflies have been discovered in Knox County. We do not need this, folks. The TDA detection dog verified 15 adult spotted lanternflies on a tree of heaven.
“Citizen reports are essential in stopping the spread of this destructive pest,” Commissioner Charlie Hatcher D.V.M. said. “This non-native insect threatens the health and viability of several agricultural businesses in our state. We want your help in watching out for this pest and reporting and eliminating any you find.”
Spotted lanternflies are invasive insects that attack a wide variety of plants, from grapevines and fruit trees to hardwoods. They deposit egg masses on nearly any solid object, including vehicles, trailers, firewood, outdoor gear, furniture, and toys. People and their belongings can unknowingly carry these eggs, allowing the pest to spread far beyond its original range.
Advice from TDA:
- If you see SLF or an egg mass, take photos and report the sighting here.
- Next, stomp the insect and destroy egg masses by smashing them or dousing them with rubbing alcohol.
- Check vehicles, boats, campers, and outdoor equipment to make sure they are free of SLF or egg masses before moving them.
Notes and Quotes
Oakes Farm in the Gibbs community is celebrating its 25th year of a fall corn maze and each year’s offering is better than the year before. This year’s maze will be open every day during fall break plus every Thursday-Sunday from September 20 through November 2, 2025. Tickets are available at this special site. Tickets are restricted by time and date, so it’s best to purchase tickets early to secure the date and time of your choosing.
Smokies Life will accept applications for the 2026 Steve Kemp Writer’s Residency through October. Details and instructions for submitting an application here/.
Grants from $500 to $20,000 are available from the state to help communities increase the tree canopy. Applications must be submitted online by 5 p.m. CT on September 30, 2025, here.
Quote: “The earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth. One thing we know which the white man may one day discover, our god is the same god. You may think now that you own him as you wish to own our land; but you cannot. – Chief Seattle.
Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook and Instagram. Get all KnoxTNToday articles in one place with our Free Newsletter.
