Advancements for conservation and park projects were announced today to a sold-out crowd of more than 1,000 guests at Legacy Parks Foundation’s annual Legacy Luncheon for the Parks.
Carol Evans, executive director of Legacy Parks Foundation kicked off the announcements with a big conservation milestone on the French Broad River. “I’m pleased to say that we’ve acquired three islands bordering Seven Islands State Birding Park in east Knox County – a purchase that completes the protection of all of the islands related to the state park,” said Evans. Legacy Parks was able to purchase the lands through a grant from the Tennessee Heritage Conservation Trust Fund. “This is significant to the conservation of the area, being one of the most richly diverse areas and sections of the river in the region,” Evans continued.
The Luncheon Parks is the Foundation’s annual fundraising event that celebrates the accomplishments of the organization over the past year.
To date, Legacy Parks has invested more than $21 million in parks and trails, added over 700 acres of parkland in Knox County, and created over 60 miles of trails within Knoxville’s city limits.
A special announcement for East Tennessee was also made during the luncheon: a $10 million park project funded by a private donor in Bristol, TN. Catie’s Playground will be located at the existing Steele Creek Park and will be a destination, fully-inclusive playspace featuring a custom play structure, tree canopy walk, a storybook trail and more. It will honor the memory of Catherine Dunn Stubben, a Bristol mother of three who passed away at the age of 30.
In continuation of Legacy Parks’ efforts towards supporting the Knox County Water Trail, Evans announced a donation from Bill Weigel of 8.4 acres in Powell for a park and adaptive boat launch on Beaver Creek. This donation aligns with Legacy Parks goal to support the Knox County Water Trail by acquiring property for parks and funding for docks at strategic locations along Beaver Creek.
Evans also announced significant advancements for the SoKno Art Trail – a $1 million donation from a private donor to support the art installations along the art walk.” The SoKno Art Trail will be a 3-mile rail trail from Kern’s Food Hall to Ijams Nature Center featuring an art walk with installations drawing from multiple disciplines – murals, student art, landscape art and more.
Other project highlights included the completion of the Angora Frog Farm and Knoxville Neighborhood Dog Park in Powell. Play features integrate into the story as you walk through the woods. Evans also provided an update on the French Broad Veterans Memorial Park that is scheduled for completion early 2025.
In celebration of Legacy Parks’ work, keynote speaker, Erik Weihenmayer, shared his inspiring life story of overcoming a rare genetic disease that left him blind at age 14 and becoming the first blind climber to summit Mount Everest.
This year’s luncheon was sponsored by: Gold Sponsors: BoardSafe, Massey Electric, Nyrstar, UCOR, TVA, Platinum Sponsors: Bacon and Company, Barber McMurry architects, D.R. Horton, Earthadelic, Greenheck Group, Gulf & Ohio Railways, Hickory Construction, Home Federal Bank, KaTom Restaurant Supply, Kern’s Food Hall, LHP Capital, Sandy & David Martin, Planet H2O, PYA, Realty Trust Group, Robin Easter Design, RSI, SmartBank, Tennessee RiverLine, Ross/Fowler, The Moul Family Fund, John Z.C. Thomas, The Trust Company of Tennessee, TWRA, UT Medical Center, Vick Dyer Alliance Sotheby’s International Realty, along with many table sponsors listed on LegacyParks.org.
