The City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department is hosting public meetings this week seeking citizen input about the planned renovations for Morningside and Inskip Parks.

The improvements are being made with a $500,000 gift to the city from Pilot Corporation - which made the donation as part of its 50th Anniversary Celebration.

The city will split the money equally between the two parks. 
 
The public meeting for Morningside Park will be held Wednesday, August 12, 2009, at 7 p.m. at the Mabry-Hazen House, 1711 Dandridge Ave.

Morningside Park, located at 1600 Dandridge Avenue, includes 23 acres and currently features two shelters, two playgrounds, a disc golf course, 1.6 miles of paved trails, and open space. The park is also home to the Alex Haley statue. 
 
The public meeting for Inskip Park, located at 4204 Bruhin Rd., will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, August 13, 2009, at the park's shelter.

The 12-acre Inskip Pool and Park features four shelters, a sand volleyball court, a playground, four tennis courts, and open space. The pool is the largest outdoor pool in the Parks and Recreation Department and features three diving boards and a baby pool.

Carol R. Johnson Associates, Inc., along with parks and recreation staff will moderate the public meetings and citizens will have the opportunity to fill out questionnaires and rank the parks' features.

For more information about the public meetings, please call 865-215-2946.