The City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation announced that Cannon & Cannon Engineering has been selected to finalize the design and prepare construction bid specifications for the Fountain City Skate Park.

The new skate park will be located at the corner of Knox Road and Maple Drive.

Cannon & Cannon will develop the design for grading, the parking area, and other skate park features and prepare and submit the permit applications to required municipal offices and state agencies.

Joe Walsh, Director of City Parks and Recreation, said he expects solicitation for bids to construct the park to be issued in January 2009 with excavation to begin in March 2009. 

"As with all construction, everything is weather dependent," explained Joe Walsh, "The Fountain City community has shown their commitment to a skate park in their area through fundraising and other efforts, so the City will make every effort to get the facility completed as soon as possible." 
 
Skateboarders and members of the Fountain City Skate Park Task Force developed the concept design for the skate park in 2007 and finalized the plan in early 2008.

The Task Force, in conjunction with Fountain City Town Hall and the Legacy Parks Foundation, has raised more than $103,000 for the project which includes $50,000 in funding from the City.

The Legacy Parks Foundation also received a donation from the Hensley Family of 1.6 acres of land located between Maple and Fair Drives. The former Hensley property will be used for a storm water retention pond.

The Legacy Parks Foundation is scheduled to transfer the property to the City in the next few weeks.