/
Print
Services
Residents
Business
Visitors
Government
City of Knoxville
Blogs
City Blog
Winter Work: How Public Serv...
Winter Work: How Public Service Workers Keep Downtown Looking Pristine
Our Winter Work blog series has caught up with City employees to find out how they help make the holidays happen downtown. We reached out to Public Service's Mark Karns to find out how they keep downtown and Krutch Park looking so good during the holidays and year-round!
MARK KARNS, PUBLIC SERVICE
Position:
Maintenance Coordinator
With the City since:
2006
The number of downtown visitors increases during the holidays due to the Market Square ice rink and seasonal events, but the City streets and parks are always in top shape for residents and visitors.
We have Mark Karns and his crew to thank for keeping downtown looking great - they pick up litter, blow leaves, empty trash cans, and prep sites for special events.
“People don’t know how much our guys do, and it can often be a thankless job,” Karns said. “We can fish leaves out of the pond in Krutch Park, blow them out of Market Square, have everything in pristine condition, and a windy night can make it look like we were never there.”
Their work is required in all weather conditions and at any time or day - including Christmas morning.
The crews take immense pride – and ownership – in keeping downtown looking pristine. Their efforts do not go unnoticed.
“One thing we have going for us is that when you’re downtown, you interact with people, and many let us know that they appreciate what we do,” Karns said.
During recent years, residents of the Holston Building have given them hand warmers when the temperature drops. Talk about getting into the holiday spirit!
Thanks to the Public Service team for keeping downtown Knoxville looking great.
Posted by
On 28 December, 2018 at 8:45 AM
Recent Posts
#PublicWorksWednesday: Dirty Lots and Neighborhood Codes
KPD Officer Delivers Groceries to Snowbound 90-Year-Old: 'I Love Taking Care of My Community'
KFD Provided Life-saving Help During the Snowstorm: 'We Made a Difference'
Fleet Services Technicians Worked 24/7 to Keep City Plow & Salt Trucks on the Road 24/7
Public Service Snow Plow Driver: 'Team Effort - People Were Definitely Appreciative of Us'
3-1-1 Customer Service Rep Connected People with Help: 'It Was Important to Me to Be Here'
Neighborhood Cocktail Bar Near Stadium Looking to Do Baseball- and Soccer-themed Drink Menus
Stadium Milestone: All 1,200 Tons of Steel Framing in Place, Plus Two-thirds of the Concrete Poured
#KnoxvilleJobWellDone: City Employees Make the Holidays Bright and Festive
New Baker Creek Preserve Pavilion Close to Opening; Check Out This Pretty Night-time Photo!
Archives
March 2024 (1)
February 2024 (3)
January 2024 (2)
December 2023 (4)
November 2023 (5)
October 2023 (4)
August 2023 (1)
July 2023 (1)
June 2023 (4)
May 2023 (2)
Group Blogs
City Blog
KAT Blog
KPD News & Alerts
Magnolia Avenue Streetscapes Project
More...
Post Categories
City Events
City Services
Cumberland Ave.
Downtown
Government
KAT
Mayor Kincannon
Meetings
Neighborhoods
Outdoor & Recreation
Public Safety
Redevelopment
Road Work
South Waterfront
Sustainability
Content Alert Subscription
Blog Feeds
Podcast Feeds
Subscribe to Email Alerts