KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knoxville city leaders met Friday afternoon to mark the end of the latest project to improve pedestrian walkways with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and to show off progress on improvements in the Baker Creek Preserve area.
The city opened a new sidewalk along Lancaster Drive in South Knoxville, and Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon walked the area while speaking about other construction projects in the area. It was built by Southern Constrictors Inc. and connects existing sidewalks on Sevierville Pike with Urban Wilderness trails, and the Baker Creek Preserve.
The new sidewalk runs between Tilson Street and Sevierville Pike and also connects neighborhoods in the area with South-Doyle Middle School and other nearby businesses. It is also designed to make KAT Route 40 more accessible.
Crews are working to improve the Baker Creek Preserve area, installing a shade structure, hardscape areas, picnic tables, a water-filling station, parking spaces and restrooms. New amenities are also planned for the Urban Wilderness Gateway Park.
Those include play structures, a pavilion and restrooms. They are expected to be built in the coming years at the James White Parkway terminus, at Sevierville Pike. The design is expected to be finalized in 2024.
Work is also expected to continue on the Cottrell Street Greenway, eventually expected to connect the Baker Creek Greenway and continue on to Sevier Avenue and Anita Drive. Work is also underway to build a greenway crossing the James White Parkway bridge, providing a safer connection between the Urban Wilderness and neighborhoods in South Knoxville.
A new Adventure Playground is also expected to be installed in 2024 on a hill near Baker Creek Bottoms businesses.