Urban Wilderness and Historic Corridor
The ridges, forests and parks along south waterfront offer potential for an incredible recreational and historic corridor. The 1,000 acres of urban wilderness contains three civil war forts, historic settlement sites, parks, trails and recreational amenities all within the heart of the city. The majority of the recreational and historic areas within the corridor are already public lands and parks. Legacy Parks Foundation is working to add essential properties and connect all of the assets with a system of trails, greenways and sidewalks.
The River Bluff property was a key parcel purchased and protected by Legacy Parks Foundation in December 2009. This 70 acres on Cherokee Trail is a significant greenspace that frames downtown Knoxville and is the site of Armstrongs Hill, a Civil War battle site. The property will become a city park and provide and allow for the connection of Knoxville's proposed south waterfront greenway to the Knox-Blount greenway under construction along Alcoa Highway. It will ultimately be possible to bike or hike some twenty miles from Ijams Nature Center in south Knoxville, or the University of Tennessee across the river, to Maryville along a system of connected natural trails and greenways.
There remain many steps along the path of creating the corridor, the most critical being the purchase of Fort Stanley, the last unprotected fort in the trio of Civil War forts along the south Knoxville ridges. Legacy Parks Foundation has until February 2010 to raise $800, 000 to acquire the 22 acres on which the fort lies.
The Significant Properties in the Corridor include:
The River Bluff
A 70-acre tract originally slated for condominium development that has recently purchased by Legacy Parks Foundation. This property is significant as the most expansive view of greenspace and theridgetop from the city side of the river. It contains two ponds, an abundance of wildflower and mature hardwoods, and the most breathtaking view of Knoxville. It is the site of the Battle of Armsrtongs Hill, a key Civil War battle in the defense of Knoxville.
Log Haven
A lush, 95-acre tract rich with historical significance, this property includes a portion of Fort Higley and an abundance of nature hardwoods and native species. The Log Haven property and Fort Higley properties were recently purchased by the Aslan Foundation to preserve the natural and historical integrity of the land. If the Corridor property is assembled, the Aslan Foundation will include this property in the Wilderness Corridor.
Fort Stanley Ridge
A 22-acre wooded parcel off Chapman Highway containing the Civil War fort where Union troops from Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio joined the 8th Tennessee and 16th Kentucky regiments to protect the southern approaches to Knoxville. This land also provides a key green backdrop that frames the cityside view of the south waterfront.
Fort Higley
A seven-acre parcel adjacent to Log Haven, a seven-acre parcel containing a critical portion of Fort Higley. During the 17-day Siege of Knoxville and the Battle of Fort Sanders, Fort Higley served as the western anchor of the Federal line, protecting the city from Confederate troops stationed on Cherokee Heights.
Fort Dickerson Park
An 85-acre scenic city park, said to be the best preserved of all earthworks forts dating from the Civil War days, now stands as evidence of the fort's role in defending Knoxville from Confederate General Longstreet's advance on the city.
The corridor links the assets of the existing Knoxville Parks, Ijams Nature Center, and the future wilderness properties into an incredible historical, recreational, cultural and environmental experience.
The Corridor allows us to protect the scenic vistas that define Knoxville. The properties are visible from most areas of the city but particularly important to the viewshed from downtown Knoxville. Development of these properties would change the character of the city.
- • It ignites heritage tourism. The collected assets of this Corridor — recreational, environmental, educational and historical — tell the story of our community through an experience quite marketable to visitors.
- • It promotes a healthy community The Wilderness Corridor creates new opportunities to recreate by increasing our park acreage, linking our existing parks, and expanding the greenways and natural trail system. Above all, this forested area contributes to the overall health of our air and water.
- • It creates an economic boost for South Knoxville. Studies consistently prove that property values for homes located in proximity to parks and green space increase in a range from 13 to 25 percent. Commercial property values increase an average of 12 percent. This wilderness corridor will bring needed economic value to neighborhoods in transition.
- • It enhances the South Waterfront Development. The Corridor parallels Knoxville's South Waterfront Development and will both drive growth to the flat, developable areas within the waterfront development zone and provide a green backdrop to frame Knoxville's waterfront. The Corridor's cultural, historical and recreational assets provide additional incentives to live, work and visit the south waterfront.
You can make it happen… Please show your support today.
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Harrell Road Environmental Park
Conservation Easements
Conservation easements provide a powerful tool for landowners who wish for their land to remain undeveloped in perpetuity and for builders/developers who are looking for a financially viable way to integrate greenspace and protected areas into their developments. When landowners donate a conservation easement, they maintain ownership and management of their land (and can pass the land on to their heirs) while foregoing their rights to develop the land in the future. In essence, they are giving the development rights of the property to a land trust, such as Legacy Parks Foundation, to hold forever. Land trusts are charged with monitoring and protecting the conservation assets of the land. There can be significant tax benefits from donation of a conservation easement. For more information, contact Carol Evans at Legacy Parks Foundation.
Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge
Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge, a 360-acre wildlife sanctuary on the edge of east Knox County, is poised to be one of the southeast's most treasured natural and historic parks.
Seven Islands is a rich natural habitat with over 150 species of birds found in the refuge, including a pair of nesting bald eagles. The French Broad River, which borders the park, holds over 50 species of fish – more varieties than found on the entire European continent. Hiking trails wind up the ridges and down to the waterfront. A boat launch allows easy access to the river. It is a site to be treasured and studied.
Thirteen research projects are currently underway at Seven Islands. The properties' rich history nearly equals its natural assets. The six historic structures on the property tell the story of the settlement of our region. Evidence of early industry still remains on the river's edge and throughout the property are reminders of our origins as a community. Given its historic and natural significance, a second phase of planning is underway to make Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge a signature educational, recreational and research haven of national stature.
Highland Neighborhood Park
In 2006, concerned neighbors founded the Highland Drive Neighborhood Association in response to the proposed auction by the City of Knoxville of a vacant one-acre green space adjacent to their homes on Highland Drive. This street, located in an historic section of Fountain City in north Knoxville, is characterized by many eighty to ninety year old homes on large, treed lots of one-half acre or more.
The property is an undeveloped lot with mature hardwood trees and a natural spring that was donated to the city in the early 1900s to be used as a park and water source for the community.
The Highland Drive Neighborhood Association's primary goal is to protect and maintain this parcel as a public access green-space. The city, the community of Fountain City, the residents of Highland Drive and of adjacent streets will all benefit from preserving this natural green space in a heavily urban area. The property, when kept in its natural state, can offer a quiet place with live springs, ancient trees, native vegetation, and wildlife habitat.
In Spring 2008 the Association negotiated a contract with the city of Knoxville to provide for planning, development and maintenance of this parcel as a city park, with the city retaining ownership of the property.
Initial support for the project has come from donated services, fundraising events and contributions. A University of Tennessee landscape architecture class created the park design and Cortese Tree Specialists provided advice and tree removal.
Looking forward, the Association needs to raise Phase I funds for tree and shrub purchases and ongoing maintenance. A Phase II project would clean out the natural spring opening and place boulders and rocks for the streambed.
The goal is to raise $5,000 and complete the initial design and development phase in 2009.
You may support the effort by contributing here or mailing your contribution to: Highland Neighborhood Park, Legacy Parks Foundation, 625 Market Street, Suite 1203, Knoxville, TN 37902.