Knoxville, Tennessee
GOVERNOR NED MCWHERTER PARK CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
The Governor Ned McWherter Park concept involves significant infrastructure upgrades to transform the park into a premier recreational destination. Key improvements include replacing existing docks with a large multi-use boat dock and paddle craft launch, adding flexible plaza seating, permeable pavers, and stormwater management systems, and formalizing parking with designated spaces for cars, trailers, and accessible parking. Additional features include a trailhead pavilion with restrooms, an industrial-themed playspace, a boathouse with a wetland greenway connection, a kayaking staging area, a terraced seating area with riparian plantings, and a fishing dock. The design enhances safety, connectivity, wildlife habitat, and stormwater treatment while celebrating Knoxville’s industrial heritage and improving access to the city’s water trail network for non-motorized users.
Project Goals
Based on the feedback received from Knoxville’s Local Leadership Team as well as the community-wide survey, the Tennessee RiverLine Planning & Design team has identified 3 primary project goals that the park design at Governor Ned McWherter Park seeks to accomplish:
To create a recreation destination on Knoxville’s north waterfront, with improved amenities, safety, connectivity, and stormwater management.
To connect Knoxville’s recreation assets via water trail and provide safe, dedicated, and accessible river access to all non-motorized users.
To celebrate the industrial landscape of Knoxville through materiality and design.
Conceptual Renderings
