At 3 p.m. on April 5, 2017, the City of Knoxville’s Public Service Department and volunteers from Fulton High School and Gerdau will plant 18 trees at the new Zaevion Dobson Memorial Playground and Park, which will open next month at the end of Badgett Drive in the Lonsdale community.

The City of Knoxville paid for the trees, and Trees Knoxville organized the volunteer efforts. A variety of shade and ornamental species to be planted includes oak, crepe myrtle, flowering cherry, Eastern red bud and hornbeam.

“These are going to be more mature trees that we’re planting, so they will grow a little more quickly,” said Kasey Krouse, Urban Forester for the City of Knoxville. “The species we have selected for the new park will provide shade and attract wildlife, enhancing the park experience for visitors.”

The new park will include a playground and multi-use field and is named in tribute to Zaevion Dobson, a 15-year-old killed in 2015 while shielding two friends from gunfire in the Lonsdale community. The park will be located near the site where Zaevion was killed.