Alex Haley Heritage Square
1871 Hazen Street
Knoxville, TN 37915
East Knoxville
Directions: Take the James White Parkway exit off of I-40; exit off of Summit Hill and make a left; as Summit Hill turns into Dandridge go half a block and make a right on to Hazen Street; park will then be on the left.
Alex Haley Square sits on the slopes of Morningside Park in East Knoxville. Amenities in the park include play structures, water fountain, green space and nearby
Morningside Park and
Morningside Greenway.
However, park is best known for having the only 13 foot high bronze statue of author and Pulitzer prize winner Alex Haley. The statue is the focal point of the park. It was designed by sculptress Tina Allen and cast in bronze in New York City. The statue weighs 6,500 pounds and Allen’s depiction of Haley shows the author in a seated position, gesturing with an open hand as he reads from an open book in his lap. The statue was dedicated on April 24, 1998 in front of crowd of over 1,000 people.
Click here to read more about the dedication of the Alex Haley Statue.
HISTORY OF THE PARK
Alex Haley Square is named after Pulitzer prize winner Alex Haley who is best known for his book "Roots," in which he traced his origins back to Africa. His book was made into an acclaimed television mini-series. Haley spent some of his earliest years in Henning, Tennessee before returning to his birth town of Ithaca, New York. He lived his final years nearby in Clinton, Tennessee.
GOOGLE TREKKER STREET VIEW
Explore Morningside Park on Google Trekker
Street View (images from Fall 2014):
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Haley Heritage Square
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Morningside Greenway
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Morningside Park
ADOPT A PARK
Alex Haley Heritage Square Adoptees are Socially Equal Energy Efficient Development
PARK RULES & REGULATIONS
1.) For the protection of our park and the safety of its users, the following are prohibited:
- No alcoholic beverages
- No open fires
- No hitting golf balls anywhere in the park
- No motorized vehicles in park
- No equestrian activity
2.) Per city ordinance, all animals must be maintained on a leash.
3.) Please be respectful of other trail users
4.) Please help to keep our parks beautiful by disposing trash in proper receptacles.
5.) Hours - Open dawn to dusk unless otherwise posted.