Knoxville cuts ribbon on park upgrades

Officials with the city of Knoxville opened the new pavilion at the city’s Urban Wilderness Gateway Park. The new 23,000-square-foot structure includes four bathrooms, a water refill station, picnic tables, and a series of play structures using the area’s natural boulders and landscaping. The $4.6 million upgrades are part of a multi-year project to enhance the park, which acts both as a key entrance to the city’s urban wilderness network as well as a recreation area. The park connects 68 miles of trails throughout the city with $11 million invested in the gateway and connections to Baker Creek Park. A larger vision aims to connect 1,000 acres of outdoor spaces in the city.