Lakeshore Park has completed the third phase in a multiyear string of construction projects, bringing $9 million in improvements, including a new pavilion, to the far west side of the 185-acre park.
This stretch of construction dates to 2015, when work began on improvements that kicked off years of development at Lakeshore Park. Five years later, the park adopted its 2020 master plan, which spurred additional phases of construction.
The Lakeshore Park Conservancy completed the first two phases of the master plan between 2020 and 2024, adding the Jim Haslam Sports Center, pickleball courts, a playground, workout equipment, gardens, a basketball court and an amphitheater.
The master plan will continue to drive future development of the park, but
Lakeshore Park Conservancy CEO Simon Bradbury told Knox News the organization will take a few years off from major construction projects to focus more on fundraising and maintenance.
The new additions − a pavilion, parking lot, seating, restrooms and a quarter-mile of new trail − were funded through a mix of private, city and conservancy dollars to improve access and amenities for visitors near the HGTV Overlook facing Fort Loudoun Lake.
The HGTV Overlook opened in May 2020 following a $3 million gift from Scripps Networks Interactive, Knox News previously reported, before the Haslam family committed to donating $35 million to improve baseball fields, soccer fields and other amenities outlined in the park's master plan.
Bradbury said investments in the park are about creating "quality recreation experiences for people" and "quality-of-life experiences, too."
In his first few months as CEO, Bradbury has come to know the people who walk their dogs at the park each morning and the group of mothers who bring their children along to their group workout.
"There are people here who might be grieving, and there are people who might be celebrating," Bradbury said. "There are so many life experiences that happen because of this park, and that's what this is all about."
With the third phase complete, Bradbury is looking ahead to future fundraising. In mid-November, the park plans to launch a "friends group" that will give donors additional input on park operations.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for 9 a.m. Oct. 20 at the park's new public pavilion.
Knoxville residents can expect additional improvements at other waterside parks, with $1.15 million in state funding going toward new boat docks, kayak rental stations and landscaping projects at Holston River, Gov. Ned McWherter and Suttree Landing parks.
Sophia Tiedge is the growth and transformation reporter for Knox News. Email: sophia.tiedge@knoxnews.com
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Lakeshore Park caps years of upgrades with $9M phase, adding a new pavilion
