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Great parks make great communities.

Legacy Parks Foundation is a non-profit organization which works to assure that our community enjoys exceptional recreational opportunities, natural beauty and open spaces, and that those assets exist for generations to come. Our mission is to bridge the gap between the services and amenities afforded by government funding and those that allow us to take full advantage of the incredible natural resources of our region. Founded in 2005, the Foundation works in collaboration with the City of Knoxville and Knox County Parks & Recreation Departments and other like-minded organizations to:

  • • Secure funding for land acquisition, park improvements and recreation programs
  • • Accept gifts of land
  • • Provide for and maintain greenway and conservation easements
  • • Advocate for parks and outdoor recreation

Everyone can help. Gifts of land, financial contributions, deferred gifts, corporate matching programs and donations of products and services all support the Foundation's efforts to make ours a truly great community with great parks. Support Now »

Areas of Focus


1. Preserve our Ridges & Views

Knoxville has the gift of geography. Situated in the heart of the Tennessee Valley, we enjoy a varied terrain with a beautiful mix of lush valleys and breathtaking ridge views. With continued growth throughout the county, we have the opportunity to help strike a healthy balance between development and conservation by proactively working to preserve our ridges and views and allow them to maintain their greatest public benefit.

2. Connect our Greenways

It's easy to seen why greenways consistently rise to top of the list of the recreational venues which the community would like to see expanded. Greenways connect neighborhoods and communities. They provide health, environmental and transportation benefits. There are no financial barriers to enjoying greenways or needed skills. The City of Knoxville currently has 36 segments totaling over 40 miles of greenway. Knox County has eight segments totaling 15 miles of greenway. While funding is always a consideration, land acquisition is the first stumbling block that often impedes connecting and expanding our greenway system. The Foundation can play a significant role in greenway expansion by proactively acquiring property and easements from business and individual donors.

3. Maintain the Health of & Access to Our Waterways

Knoxville's history and growth is tied to our waterways. James White built the fort which became Knoxville just below the junction of the French Broad and Holston Rivers. Our rivers continue to define much of our region. The Tennessee River flows across the county, passing through the heart of the city. TVA lakes provide opportunity for recreation across the region. Other rivers and waterways allow for virtually year-round swimming, boating, and fishing. Because our miles of waterfront property are in high demand for commercial and residential development, the Foundation can work diligently to assure that the waterways remain healthy and there is ample public waterfront access for everyone to enjoy.

4. Create Recreational Opportunities for the Underserved

Recreation and sports have moved beyond the more traditional sports of basketball, baseball and football. The requests for venues to accommodate the emerging sports far exceed the resources of the city and county parks programs. Fortunately, many of those who participate in these activities are passionate about their pursuit and are willing to financially support their development. The foundation can both serve as a fiscal agent for those raising funds for specific projects and be a champion for projects for which there is a public demand but no funding.

Additionally, there are financial barriers that limit participation in sports, restrict the development of new teams and hinder recruiting, training and sustaining volunteers. A well-established grant program of the foundation can work to alleviate many of those barriers.

5. Exceed the National Average for Public Parks & Green Space

The success of any organization or community is most often measured in comparative statistics against their peers or competitors. As a community, we should expect more than to simply meet the nationwide per capita averages for parkland and recreational services - we should aspire to exceed them. Exceeding the national average demonstrates that we are a healthy community with abundant opportunities and protective of our environmental assets. It defines us as a good community in which to live and do business.

In addition to exceeding a national benchmark, we should also gauge our success on the quality of our parks and outdoor space, assuring that they are well-maintained, functional, attractive and user-friendly.

The foundation can proactively work to acquire land that expands our parks and green space and raise funds to make them the best they can be. By doing so, we will help position our community as one to be admired.

Board of Directors

  • Joe Ayres
    Managing Director, Cumberland Securities
  • Doug Bataille
    Director of Parks & Recreation, Knox County, ex-officio
  • Missy Kane Bemiller
    Health Promotions Coordinator, Covenant Health
  • Jerilyn Bliss
    Vice President of Corporate Communications, Scripps Networks
  • Jonathan Brooks
    Director, Triax Data, Inc.
  • Margaret Butler
    Architect, Cockrill Design & Planning
  • Bob Calloway
    Vice President for Advancement, East Tennessee Foundation
  • Betsy Child
    President, Geothermal Utilities
  • Pete Claussen
    Chairman, Gulf & Ohio Railways
  • Diondre Jackson
    Executive Director, Wee Course at Williams Creek
  • Mark Field
    Vice President of Membership, Knox Area Chamber Partnership
  • Mike Fleming
    Owner, 360 Media Development
  • Scott Frith
    Affiliate Broker, Realty Executive Associates
  • Steven Fritts
    Vice President, Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon, Inc.
  • Sandy Gillespie
    Affiliate Broker, Dean-Smith, Inc.
  • Ivan Harmon
    Knox County Commissioner
  • Brad Hill
    President, DeMarco Group
  • Marv House
    CEO, Merit Construction
  • Tim Irwin
    Judge, Knox County Juvenile Court
  • Paul James
    Executive Director, Ijams Nature Center
  • David Long
    President, Long, Ragsdale & Waters, P.C.
  • Martha McMurry
    Director, McMurry & Company
  • Sharon Miller Pryse
    President, The Trust Company
  • Sam Newgent
    Executive Director, First Tee Knoxville, ex-officio
  • Marilyn Roddy
    Knoxville City Councilman
  • Tommy Schmid
    Executive Vice President, CapitalMark Bank and Trust
  • Tommy Schumpert
    Edscholar Program Director, Edsouth, chair
  • Will Skelton
    Attorney, Bass, Berry & Sims
  • Joe Walsh
    Director of Park & Recreation, City of Knoxville
  • Bob Wilt
    Vice President for Energy Development, Alcoa
  • Jamie Woodson
    State Senator
  • Tim Zitzman
    Staff Attorney, Graham Development

Staff

  • Carol Evans
    Executive Director