Governor Bill Haslam addressed a crowd of 600 business and civic leaders in one of the area's most beautiful outdoor venues, the River Bluff on the Tennessee River at the annual Legacy Luncheon for the Parks on Friday.
This annual event celebrates the work of Legacy Parks Foundation and other collaborative organizations to preserve open space, expand parks and improving the overall quality of life and economic vitality of our community.
Over the past five years the Foundation has raised over $2.5 million, added over 200 acres in parkland and protected nearly 1,000 acres of forests and farmlands in east Tennessee. Funds raised through the Legacy Luncheon for the Parks provide critical operating funds for the Foundation.
While mayor of Knoxville, Governor Haslam enthusiastically supported the River Bluff property acquisition as a key component of Urban Wilderness concept proposed by Legacy Parks Foundation.