$4.6m addition to bring bathrooms to Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness Gateway Park

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The City of Knoxville is moving forward with its plan to create a gateway to the city’s urban wilderness . On July 23, the City Council approved an agreement to build a $4.6 million Urban Wilderness Gateway Park pavilion.

The new structure and plaza are expected to span 23,000 square feet and contain four bathrooms, shade structures, a water refilling station, picnic tables, and play features, including slides and climbing areas, amid natural boulders and landscaping. Design and Construction Services Inc. was awarded the $4,596,641.22 contract, which will be finalized this summer according to a release from the city. Construction at the site is set to be finished by late 2025.

“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,” said Rebekah Jane Justice, the City’s Chief of Urban Design and Development.

This project is located at the southern terminus of James White Parkway, where it ends at Sevierville Pike. It is one of the last pieces in the city’s overall Urban Wilderness public amenities plan which was proposed, approved and budgeted eight years ago. The new pavilion will also complement the Baker Creek Pavilion, which opened in March 2024 , as the Baker Creek Bike Park is less than half a mile from the park. The area is also central to a network of more than 68 miles of trails in the area.

In 2018, the Framework, Vision and Concept Design Report for Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness Gateway Park Project was created to establish a framework for the James White Parkway Corridor, making the connection between East Knoxville, Downtown and South Knoxville by parkland and greenways. The report also outlines the plans for the James White Parkway Terminus area beginning on page 64.

“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,” said Urban Wilderness Coordinator Wes Soward.

Work is also underway on two new greenway segments that will connect the South Waterfront and the Urban Wilderness with downtown, East Knoxville and other points north of the Tennessee River once completed.

“The river, throughout Knoxville’s history, has always been a sort of natural barrier,” 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 first new segment is an extension of the Cottrell Greenway, between the Gateway Park and Sevier Avenue, which is set to open in the fall. For the project, one of two lanes of the one-way northbound Cottrell Street is being converted to a greenway. The other project will cross the Tennessee River via the South Knoxville Bridge, creating a greenway on the northbound lane, connecting to the Morningside and James White Greenways. Construction on this project is set to begin next year.

Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness includes more than 50 miles of trails and greenways that connect Ijams Nature Center, historic sites, quarries, adventure playgrounds, five city parks, and a 500-acre wildlife area. To learn more about it, click here .

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