Legacy Parks Foundation and Knox County joined in cutting the ribbon on the Angora Frog Farm and dog park today alongside sponsors and key project partners.
The new child-focused park and dog park sits on 14-acres donated to Legacy Parks by Arvin and Sabra Brown in 2020. The whimsical, story-themed park was inspired by the Brown family’s folk tales passed down through several generations of hairy Angora frogs grown on their family farm in the heart of Powell.
Partnering with local illustrator and author, Daniel Wiseman, Legacy Parks crafted a story about an Angora Frog Farm and combined the story with play structures on which kids could bring the story to life. Wiseman has illustrated over 20 published children’s books and his first two authored books were released in 2023.
Created for little children with big imaginations, the storybook trail guides you along a half-mile gravel trail through the woods, embarking on adventures with the main character, Arvin the Angora Frog. Play features along the trail include a lookout tower with slide, a spider swing, a wobble bridge, and more!
“We took a different approach with this park by creating a linear playground where you can enjoy a walk in the woods, climb and play, read a story, and sit by a little creek all in one experience,” said Carol Evans, Legacy Parks’ executive director.
Legacy Parks kicked off the project with $20,000 grant from The American Rental Association Foundation and Toro Company to build the park’s walking trail.
FirstBank provided a matching grant of $20,000 to fund the storybook panels featured throughout the park.
Gracious community partners sponsored the play features:
- East Tennessee Pediatric Dentistry sponsored the lookout tower in honor of the kids in the community and the owner’s aunt, Eula May.
- Mynatt Funeral Home sponsored the music features, in honor of co-owner Ronald Hill, who loved gospel music and his community.
- Aubrey’s sponsored the wobble bridge as a thank you to the Powell community’s support.
- DeRoyal sponsored the spinning bug feature to celebrate their 50th
- Laura Bailey appropriately sponsored the house feature, as Powell’s long-serving real estate agent.
- The TVA Retirees Association, Bicentennial Volunteers and TVA sponsored the benches and picnic table.
The storybook play trail is complemented by a shaded, accessible Knox County dog park at the entrance to the wooded property. The dog park was funded by Randy Boyd’s Family Foundation and is the sixth Knoxville Neighborhood Dog Park in Knox County. The dog park offers separate areas for large and small dogs, benches and agility features.
“This park is a special place for the community, children, frogs and dogs!” said Evans. It is a privilege for us to be able to create a unique park in this community and honor the Brown family’s legacy in a fun way that will last for generations to come.”
The Angora Frog Farm and Dog Park is located at 7323 Brickyard Road in Powell and is open sunrise to sunset. For more information contact Legacy Parks Foundation at (865) 525-2585.
