NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Deputy Speaker Jason Zachary, State Reps. Michele Carringer, Elaine Davis, Justin Lafferty, Dave Wright, all Republicans representing Knox County, announced $1,146,730 in state funding has been awarded to the City of Knoxville for local park improvements.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) will administer the funding through the Local Parks and Recreation Fund (LPRF) and the Recreational Trail Program (RTP). Both were approved by the General Assembly in the 2026-27 state budget.
“Knox County is blessed with incredible parks and natural resources that offer many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors,” the lawmakers said. “These investments will create even more opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get out on the water and hit the trails. We’re excited to see these projects move forward and can’t wait to see the community enjoy them for years to come.”
The city plans to use $746,730 from the LPRF to expand access to the Tennessee River at Gov. Ned McWherter Park and Suttree Landing Park, in partnership with Tennessee RiverLine.
Improvements at Gov. Ned McWherter Park include transforming the existing site into a river recreation hub with a large, multi-purpose boat dock, kayak storage and rental station, boater staging area, pavilion and restrooms.
The project for Suttree Landing Park includes accessible kayak features to expand paddling access for people with disabilities, including wheelchair users or individuals with limited mobility. It also includes kayak storage and rental pods, as well as new native plants to improve the park and help protect the riverfront.
The city plans to use $400,000 from the RTP to add a bicycle skills course and mountain bike trail at Holston River Park.
The project will include a kids bike skills area anchored with a small asphalt pump track to provide beginner level skills development for young riders, as well as prefabricated trail features including gravel trail connections throughout the greenway system.
The mountain bike trail will be approximately 2,500 linear feet reinforced with stone and native soil. It will also serve as an adaptive Mountain Bike Trail (aMTB) providing opportunities for people with limited mobility to enjoy the off-road trail experience.
LPRF provides state funding to match local government investments for recreation projects and the purchase of land for parks, natural areas, greenways and recreational facilities. RTP provides federal funding to match local government investments in trailhead support facilities, land acquisition for trails and trail construction, rehabilitation and maintenance.
For more information on the LPRF program and how to apply, visit the Office of Outdoor Recreation website at https://www.tn.gov/environment/outdoorrec.html.
Jason Zachary represents District 14 in the Tennessee House of Representatives which includes a portion of western Knox County.
Elaine Davis represents District 18 in the Tennessee House of Representatives which includes a portion of southern Knox County.
Michele Carringer represents District 16 in the Tennessee House of Representatives which includes a portion of northern Knox County.
Justin Lafferty represents District 89 in the Tennessee House of Representatives which includes a portion of western Knox County.
Dave Wright represents District 19 in the Tennessee House of Representatives which includes northern Knox County.
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