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Knoxville Launches Community Input for Parks Revamp

Families enjoying a sunny day at a community park in Knoxville.

News Summary

Knoxville has initiated a community engagement effort for its Parks and Recreation Master Plan, inviting residents to provide feedback on local parks. The city formed a steering committee to gather community insights through neighborhood meetings, public events, and surveys. This collaborative effort aims to improve recreational spaces, ensuring they meet the needs of the community. Residents are encouraged to participate and help shape the future of parks in Knoxville, with various avenues for input including an online survey and interactive mapping tool.

Knoxville Kicks Off Exciting Community Engagement for Parks and Recreation Master Plan

Have you heard the buzzing news from Knoxville? The city is diving headfirst into an amazing opportunity to revamp its parks and recreation spaces, and they need your help! That’s right, folks! Public input is crucial, and the city is rolling out the red carpet for residents to share their ideas and feedback about how to make local parks even better.

Getting the Ball Rolling

The journey began back in January when a dedicated steering committee formed, made up of passionate community leaders who care about making Knoxville’s parks the best they can be. To ensure comprehensive planning, city staff have been hard at work alongside expert consultants from Perez Planning + Design. Together, they’ve been actively exploring nearly 70 parks throughout Knoxville, chatting with local leaders, and even setting up focus groups to gather invaluable insights.

Why Your Voice Matters

This isn’t just any old questionnaire! This is your chance to influence the future of Knoxville’s recreational spaces. Over the next few weeks, several avenues will be open for community members to share their thoughts. Get ready for:

Neighborhood and community meetings, perfect for those who love face-to-face interactions.
Fun public events where you can mingle and contribute ideas.
Direct outreach and social media engagement to connect with fellow residents and city officials.
An interactive mapping tool designed for location-specific input – ideal for those who have park-specific suggestions.
An online community survey that takes about 15 to 20 minutes to fill out, covering a broad range of topics.

Surveying the Scene

The community survey is comprehensive and designed to align with those from peer cities like Atlanta, Louisville, and Miami. By joining in, you’ll help the city gather rich data to ensure they have a thorough understanding of the community’s needs and priorities. Your thoughts and ideas will guide the decision-making process, shaping the long-term vision for Knoxville’s parks and recreation facilities.

How to Get Involved

Ready to share your thoughts? You can get all the details about participating at www.PlayKnoxvilleTN.com. It’s a great resource where residents can find information about upcoming events and ways to engage in the planning process. Mark your calendars, because the engagement phase is officially underway, and your input could make a lasting impact!

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, the City Council is set to be briefed on the parks and recreation master plan’s evolution in June and August. An important public hearing will also take place in November, where community members are encouraged to attend and discuss potential adoption of the plan. This is more than a plan; it’s about creating spaces that everyone can enjoy for years to come!

Join the Movement!

Whether you’re a hiking enthusiast, a family looking for play areas, or someone who enjoys a good picnic, there’s a place for everyone in this conversation. Knoxville’s commitment to enhancing the community’s quality of life shines through in this effort, and the city wants to ensure that every voice is heard.

So gear up, Knoxville! It’s time to come together, share our ideas, and help shape the recreational future of our beloved city. Remember, your input matters, and every suggestion counts!