KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Story courtesy of WVLT) – We now know who will play a part in deciding the future of Chilhowee Park, the latest in the ongoing saga of the City of Knoxville’s attempt to invest in the space.
Tuesday, Mayor Indya Kincannon announced the 17 people who will make up the Chilhowee Park Advisory Group. Kincannon’s aim is to get input from the group on the park’s future by using a similar approach to how the city has planned out South Knoxville developments.
Kincannon invited the following people to serve as part of the group:
- Obayana Ajanaku – Executive Director, Drums Up Guns Down and drum instructor, Austin-East High and Vine Middle Schools
- Tylan Baker – Austin-East alumni, University of Tennessee student
- Brian Brooks – graphic designer, East Knoxville Business and Professional Association member
- Tammi Campbell – Knox County Schools
- Shaniya Cherry – Austin-East alumni, UT student, Youth Poet Laureate
- Allison Comer – CEO, Muse Knoxville
- Cynthia Finch – President, New Direction Health Care Solutions, Burlington Business Association
- Keith Foster – developer, Abundant Capital
- Adam Fritts – Community Schools Director, United Way of Greater Knoxville
- Sherene Jacobs – owner, Perk City
- Tracy Miller-Davis – Golden Gloves
- Albert Nelson – Community Action Committee, Lions Club
- Sabrina Robinson – former Director, Walter P. Taylor Boys & Girls Club
- Bill Street – CEO, Zoo Knoxville
- Derek Tate – community volunteer
- Clarence Vaughn – Executive Board member, Tennessee Valley Fair
- Keira Wyatt – Executive Director, CONNECT Ministries
“As promised, we are moving forward collaboratively in making investments and improvements to Chilhowee Park,” Kincannon said. “For the first time in decades, Chilhowee Park will be managed as a park, rather than primarily as an event venue – and we’re committing new funding. Convening this advisory group provides yet another way for people to share their ideas and passion for one of Knoxville’s most beloved public spaces. I look forward to working with these and other stakeholders as, together, we make Chilhowee Park even better for the families who treasure it.”
Kincannon has pledged to invest $10 million over five years for Chilhowee Park improvements. It comes after the city tried to sell the park to the Emerald Youth Foundation, a plan that was called out for a lack of transparency.
