On behalf of the City of Knoxville, Legacy Parks Foundation applied for and was awarded the BlueCross Healthy Place grant in 2020. Knoxville-based landscape architecture firm Ross/Fowler created conceptual designs of the space for the submission.

This is the first BlueCross Healthy Place in the Knoxville area.

Morningside Park is a 36-acre park adjacent to downtown. It is surrounded by the university and multi-family apartments, as well as a high-rise community for seniors, including those with disabilities. Two elementary schools are also within walking distance. The park sits on a city bus line, making it easily accessible to visitors from other areas of the city.

The BlueCross Foundation is investing $4.6 million for the project build, plus an additional $920,000 for a maintenance fund, bringing the total investment to $5,520,000.