KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Local leaders are looking to expand your options to enjoy spending time outside with man's best friend.
Knox County leaders and the Boyd Foundation broke ground for a new dog park at Beverly Park on November 15. This is the first Knox Neighborhood Dog Park at Beverly Park, according to a press release.
“Our goal with the Knox Neighborhood Dog Parks program is to bring people together and build community through their pets,” said Randy Boyd, of the Boyd Family Foundation. We’ve been working for more than a decade to make Knox County and Knoxville the Most Pet Friendly Community in America and this new round of neighborhood dog parks will make our goal a reality.”
In October, construction began for New Harvest dog park. Three other county dog parks are also planned for SportPark, Powell Station Park, and Clayton Park.
Officials said the planned construction of 10 additional dog parks, broken up evenly between the county in the city, will give Knox County the most dog parks per capita in the nation. The projects are expected to take place over the next couple of years.
“We know that great parks enhance the livability of our county and can entice people to relocate here,” said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs. Because dogs are a part of many Knox County families, including my own, this is a win-win for people and their pets.”
Officials said the Boyd Family Foundation announced grants in 2020 that provides $50,000 for the construction of each park. They said the county will cover any remaining cost.
The county currently operates four dog parks: Concord Park on S. Northshore Drive; I.C. King Expansion on Maryville Pike; Tommy Shumpert Park on Fountain City Road; and Plumb Creek Park on Hickey Road.
Officials said the parks are open from dawn until dusk and offer walking trails, large open areas for unleashed pets to socialize, and fenced-in areas for pets under 30 pounds.
Swimming areas are also available at Tommy Schumpert and Concord parks.