Groundbreakings are generally happy affairs and this one was no different. A good crowd of at least a hundred people – about twice what was expected – joined city officials for the groundbreaking ceremony for Suttree Landing Park. It was encouraging to see that a number of us biked to the event and that school children from the area, one of the primary groups who will benefit from the project, were also on hand in good numbers.
I’d hoped we might be closer to the waterfront simply so I could see the relation of the particular spot on the south side of the river to the downtown area, but while work has begun on clearing the site, at this time, easy access to the riverfront isn’t available. I could see a bit of the eastern edge of downtown over the trees.
On a steamy morning in early July, the speakers stated that the park should open in about a year – perhaps on a morning much like this one. It made the potential for river sports sound all the more appealing with kayaking, canoeing and more. A water feature will be installed for safe fun for the children, along with a large playground and plenty of room for romping around.
In total, the park will include 8.25 acres paralleling the river. This portion will include a half-mile of riverwalk, which will eventually connect up to other portions and run along the entire south side of the river from west of the Henley Bridge to a point east of the new park, connecting up with the greenway and making for a pleasant ride out of downtown to Ijams and the Urban Wilderness trails.
The project represents a significant expenditure, which is a mix of local and other funds. The park itself is projected to be a $3.4 million project, but the addition of Waterfront Drive, a new road to provide access to the park, the costs swell to over $6.1 million. The expense has caused delays in the project for which a “final plan” was developed in 2006. The project was shelved for several years when the economy reversed in 2008. Parks and Recreation Director Joe Walsh pointed out that it is the first park to break ground in the city in the last ten years.
Mayor Rogero was on hand and seemed particularly to enjoy including the children in the festivities. She explained to those present who might not know, that the park is honoring a fictional character. Indirectly it’s a tip of the hat to Knoxville’s most famous author, Cormac McCarthy, of course. The mayor stated, “This park is important because it will help future generations understand what Knoxville is and what it came to be.”
There was talk of butterfly gardens, paddle boarding, canoes and boat launches. In addition to the features I’ve already mentioned, there will be an event lawn, a running path and multiple river “outlooks.” The park appears designed to get maximum use and multiple uses of its space.
Joe Walsh made one interesting point worth noting. He said that the original thinking was that the park would help bring development to the south side of the river. With the passage of years and the amazing growth of the the city now stretching to include new apartments near Island Home and massive development on and around the former Baptist Hospital site, as well as several projects in between, the park is now tagging along behind development. It’s another measure of how far we’ve come.
From there, all that was left was to shovel some ceremonial dirt, with Mayor Rogero directing adults to help supervise each shovel while including the children. An upbeat event provided the answer to one of the questions I’ve gotten often in recent months: Will Suttree Landing Park actually happen? I’d say that’s a pretty clear, “Yes.” And the bike ride out from downtown is a pleasant one.