After years of planning, Mayor Indya Kincannon and other community leaders cut the ribbon Monday, March 6, 2023 on the new Fort Kid Park, located across from the Knoxville Museum of Art.




While some finishing work is still being completed at the site, the new playground is now open to the public.

“It is great to see this project finally come to fruition,” said Mayor Indya Kincannon. “Families all across Knoxville, including my own, have made lasting memories in this space. 

“With the new ADA improvements, connectivity to the Knoxville Museum of Art, and a play structure designed following extensive community input, I know Fort Kid Park will continue to be a special place for families for generations to come.”

Improvements at the site include:

• A new accessible play surface 
• A fort tower and slide 
• Climbing and balancing poles 
• A fully- accessible merry-go-round
• A toddler play area 
• A new, full- accessible pathway  
• And, new site grading and soil enhancements

Fort Kid Park was originally constructed thanks to the leadership and vision of Beth Waters, back in 1991.  That community build will be recognized with plaques at the site that will be added in the weeks to come.

“It was important that as we brought the site up to date with today’s safety and accessibility standards, we also honored the spirit of the original park,” said Mayor Kincannon. “Thanks to all of the community feedback, we have been able to do just that!”

Great Southern Recreation, Hedstrom Landscape Architecture, and City crews worked on the design and construction.

The total project cost nearly $1.3 million and was funded from a variety of sources including donations from Knoxville businessman Thomas Boyd, the Downtown Knoxville Alliance, and Visit Knoxville.

Visit Knoxvilletn.gov/FortKid for more information on the park's history and rebuilding process.

Enjoy these photos below from the ribbon cutting event of the newly designed Fort Kid Park.