Knoxville’s pedestrian zone to close roads early on Friday for PARK(ing) Day

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Drivers heading to downtown Knoxville on Friday should plan ahead as the city will be opening its pedestrian zone early for PARK(ing) Day.

Beginning at 8 a.m. on October 25, the pedestrian zone will be open, with Market Street between Clinch and Union avenues, and Union Avenue between Walnut and South Gay streets, being closed through 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 27.

Earlier this month, the City of Knoxville shared that it would be opening the pedestrian zone in the area on weekends through the end of the year , however, the closure usually starts on Fridays at 6 p.m.

The City of Knoxville shared that the early closure this Friday would be done to include PARK(ing) Day 2024, which is an annual transformation of the on-street parking stops into “pop-up parks.”

The city shared that the event has featured frequent participants in the past such as organizers & sponsors East Tennessee Community Design Center and AIA East Tennessee, as well as Knoxville Area Transit, Bike Walk Knoxville. The city added that one group last year even turned its parking spot into a live music venue.

Last year, the City of Knoxville had a trial run on vehicle-free weekends in the 400 block of Gay Street, and in September, part of Gay Street went vehicle-free for a First Friday block party .

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