Legacy Parks Foundation has announced its first Natural Shores Easement on Old French Road along the French Broad River. Landowners Cathy Murphy and John Manuel signed the easement this week, agreeing to permanently protect the shoreline of their riverfront property. The Foundation’s Natural Shores Project - a voluntary shoreline protection program – was created to promote and preserve the health and natural beauty of the French Broad River from Seven Islands State Birding Park to the Head of the Tennessee River. The goal is to assure that the French Broad River can be enjoyed by generations to come. The Murphy farm has longstanding Knoxville and family ties. It was originally acquired in 1883 by George Rule, first cousin to former Knoxville mayor William Rule. George and his wife, Maria Monday, raised their nine children in a house situated on the highest point of the farm overlooking the river below. [...]

The Trinity Health Foundation of East Tennessee has awarded Legacy Parks Foundation a $150,000 Phase II grant to develop the Sharp's Ridge Playspace on the 42-acres of land in north Knoxville that was donated to Legacy Parks Foundation in 2017. Plans for the Playspace include a natural playground, bike skills area, a network of trails to connect into the existing Sharp's Ridge trail system and the first all-access trail in our community!  This all-access trail will accommodate users of all types, including those with disabilities. The Playspace will offer access to fun and challenging amenities to increase physical activity for citizens of the neighborhood and the entire community. Located in the woods near Christenberry Heights housing development, the Playspace will introduce a new audience to nature while encouraging physical activity to develop healthy habits. The new trail addition will connect neighborhoods on the north side of the ridge into the [...]

A new Veterans Memorial park will be created thanks to an exciting new partnership with Blue Water Industries. A beautiful parcel of land along the French Broad River will be donated to Legacy Parks to create this place for reflection, commemoration and celebration, overlooking the French Broad River and the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery. This park will be designed by veterans organizations with the help of the East Tennessee Community Design Center.

Over the coming year, Johnson University will undertake a feasibility study toward creating public access to the French Broad River on the university campus. This new access point will close a gap of limited access along this waterway.  In addition to the new river access, Johnson University plans to create a network of over 8-miles of multi-use trails along the ridge outlining their campus. This new trail system will be a wonderful amenity to all and especially this area of south Knox County where no such trail system currently exists.