Just in time for spring, look for new play structures coming to three City parks – Skyline, Fountain City and Inskip parks.

The City is investing $530,898 to upgrade the playground equipment and enhance the play experience for children in East Knoxville, North Knoxville and Fountain City.

“We appreciate the patience of families as we switch out the play structures at these parks,” said Parks and Recreation Director Sheryl Ely. “We think the families who love our parks will really enjoy these state-of-the-art new play structures. 

“We scheduled the installations in winter, when the playgrounds are used less, to reduce the impact of the short-term inconvenience. The good news is that one of the playgrounds will be back open in February, with the other two reopening in April.”

Removal of the old play structure in Fountain City Park began today, and the upgraded playground is expected to reopen in early April.

The Skyline Park installation is scheduled to begin in early February and be completed the same month.

At Inskip, a concrete pad will be poured over the next few weeks. Then the playground will reopen once the surfacing and equipment are installed before the end of April.

Each of these parks will remain open, but the playgrounds will be closed with the removal of the old play structures and as the installation work gets underway.

Updates – and the exact dates for the playground closures and reopenings – will be available on the City's Parks and Recreation Department Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/KnoxvilleRecreation).

Next up: Later this spring, Paul Hogue Park will be getting a new toddler playground. Scheduling details will be announced at a later date.