KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Knoxville and communities across East Tennessee are among the biggest beneficiaries of a new round of state parks and recreation funding announced by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).
TDEC’s Office of Outdoor Recreation announced more than $20.2 million in grants through the Local Parks and Recreation Fund and the Recreational Trails Program. Several East Tennessee projects received funding aimed at improving parks, trails, river access, playgrounds, and outdoor recreation facilities.
In Knoxville, two projects secured a combined $1.15 million in state funding.
The City of Knoxville received $746,730 through the Local Parks and Recreation Fund for improvements along the Tennessee RiverLine corridor, including upgrades at McWherter Park and Suttree Landing Park. The city also received $400,000 through the Recreational Trails Program for a new Bike Skills Course at Holston River Park.
Several other East Tennessee communities also received major awards:
- Newport (Cocke County) received $3.5 million for the Woodland Phase 1 and White Oak Redevelopment project.
- Unicoi County received $2.25 million for development of the Lower Nolichucky River Takeout.
- Mount Carmel (Hawkins County) secured $1.5 million for new sports areas and a splash pad at a community park.
- New Market (Jefferson County) received just over $1 million for a new playground and archery center.
- Calhoun (McMinn County) was awarded $490,000 for the Calhoun Blueway Enhancement and Trail Project.
- Erwin (Unicoi County) received $392,000 for the Town of Erwin River Landing project.
- Sunbright (Morgan County) was awarded $92,000 for development of a recreation trail at Sunbright City Park.
The funding comes from two programs administered by TDEC. The Local Parks and Recreation Fund helps local governments acquire land and develop parks, greenways, recreation facilities, and trail projects through matching grants. The Recreational Trails Program is federally funded and supports trail construction, rehabilitation, maintenance, and trailhead facilities.
State officials said the investment will strengthen communities while expanding outdoor recreation opportunities across Tennessee.
TDEC Commissioner David Salyers called the grants “a smart investment” that supports outdoor recreation while protecting natural resources. State leaders also highlighted the role of the Grant Opportunity Fund, which provided $6.8 million in matching dollars to help distressed and at-risk rural communities complete projects that might otherwise be financially out of reach.
For East Tennessee residents, the grants mean improvements ranging from river access and greenways to playgrounds, splash pads, bike facilities, and trail enhancements over the coming years.
