Legacy Parks Foundation celebrated the grand opening of the French Broad Veterans Memorial Park today alongside sponsors, veterans’ organizations, and key project partners. The park overlooks the beautiful French Broad River and the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery in east Knox County.
The park was created on 8.5 acres that was donated to Legacy Parks by Blue Water Industries in 2018. At the time of the donation, local veterans’ groups were voicing a need for a gathering place to honor and celebrate our veterans.
“This park is a place for reflection and remembrance,” said Carol Evans, Executive Director of Legacy Parks Foundation. “We are honored to dedicate this space to the veterans of East Tennessee and provide a beautiful riverside setting for the community to gather.”
The French Broad Veterans Memorial Park is designed to be solemn and serene, with features that invite visitors to pause and reflect while also serving as a venue for community events and gatherings.
Highlights of the park include:
- A memorial plaza with pavilion for gatherings and events to host up to 75 people
- A scenic overlook of the French Broad River
- Private areas for reflection and small gatherings
- Veteran monuments and markers along an accessible walkway
- A memorial wall honoring individual veterans
- A flag courtyard honoring the six branches of service
Legacy Parks plans to continue development of the site with the addition of a natural surface walking trail that will wind along the edge of the river bluff.
“Thanks to our partnership with Legacy Parks and Carol Evans, the French Broad Veterans Memorial Park, overlooking the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, will add a much-needed park to the area,” said Mayor Glenn Jacobs. “While its stunning views delight the eye, the rows of white headstones and the stories behind them fill our hearts. This will certainly provide veterans, their families, friends and loved ones a place to reflect.”
The creation of the park was made possible through support and donations from local veterans’ organizations and generous private donors. Special thanks go to the State of Tennessee, Knox County, Bill and Crissy Haslam Foundation, Sandy and David Martin, Stowers family, and Food City, whose support helped bring the project to life.
Legacy Parks led the development of the park in partnership with Knox County, Hickory Construction, Hedstrom Landscape Architecture, BarberMcMurry architects, East Tennessee Community Design Center, S&ME, and the Thought Bureau.
