Last evening (Tuesday, July 23), City Council unanimously authorized Mayor Indya Kincannon’s administration to proceed with a planned $4.6 million Urban Wilderness Gateway Park pavilion.

The 23,000-square-foot structure and plaza will contain four bathrooms, shade structures, a water refilling station, picnic tables, and play features that include slides and climbing areas nestled into slopes, amid natural boulders and landscaping.
 


The park is strategically located at the southern terminus of James White Parkway, where it ends at Sevierville Pike. The world-class Baker Creek Bike Park, for example, is less than a half-mile from the Urban Wilderness Gateway Park. The area is the nexus to a rich network of more than 68 miles of trails.
 
“The Urban Wilderness has truly come into its own as an outdoor adventure destination – it’s no longer a secret,” said Rebekah Jane Justice, the City’s Chief of Urban Design and Development.
 
“With the existing parking and these new family-friendly facilities, the Urban Wilderness Gateway Park will become a true stepping-off point for Knoxville families as they set off on both big and small adventures.”
 
The pavilion project is one of the last pieces of the larger overall Urban Wilderness public amenities plan, first proposed, approved and budgeted eight years ago.
 
Design and Construction Services Inc. was selected as the most responsive bidder for the competitively-awarded pavilion contract, which will be finalized this summer. The pavilion and other site construction will be completed by late 2025.
 
In addition, work is continuing on two new greenway segments that – once completed – will better connect the South Waterfront and the Urban Wilderness with downtown, East Knoxville and other points north of the Tennessee River. 
 
“The river, throughout Knoxville’s history, has always been a sort of natural barrier,” Urban Wilderness Coordinator Wes Soward said. “But soon, that will no longer be the case. We’re working to enhance a much safer connection between the Urban Wilderness and areas north of the river.
 
“The Urban Wilderness Gateway Park will be a natural spot where thousands of visitors will stop before continuing on to their way to whichever destination they’re wanting to explore.”
 
One of the new segments – an extension of the Cottrell Greenway, between the Gateway Park and Sevier Avenue – is expected to officially open by this fall. One of two lanes of one-way northbound Cottrell Street is being converted to a greenway. The road has been paved, and next, the multi-use pathway lane will be striped and landscaped.
 
The other greenway is even more ambitious: It will cross the Tennessee River via the South Knoxville Bridge – a protected greenway on the northbound lane, connecting to the Morningside and James White Greenways. Construction is expected to begin next year on the river-crossing greenway.