News Summary
The French Broad Veterans Memorial Park officially opened in Knoxville, honoring military service members. Supported by a $100,000 donation from Food City, the park features memorial landscaping, a walking trail, and gathering spaces. Designed to promote reflection and remembrance, the park will facilitate events to celebrate veterans and their contributions to the community.
Knoxville – A new sanctuary for reflection and honor was unveiled on May 16, 2025, with the official opening of the French Broad Veterans Memorial Park. Located at 2302 E Governor John Sevier Hwy, this new park serves as a tribute to the brave men and women who have served in the military. The opening ceremony drew a crowd of veterans, supporters, partners, and donors, celebrating the achievement of a community-wide effort to create this meaningful space.
Financially backing this initiative, Food City made a notable contribution of $100,000, which helped the project exceed its fundraising goal. Steven C. Smith, Food City’s president and CEO, attended the ceremony to acknowledge the importance of supporting veterans through such initiatives. The park not only overlooks the French Broad River but also the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, providing a serene backdrop for visitors.
The design of the park emphasizes a solemn and peaceful atmosphere, inviting visitors to honor and reflect on the sacrifices made by military service members. It will also serve as a gathering place for events that celebrate and support veterans, making it a multifaceted facility. Among its features, the park includes a pavilion for informal gatherings, memorial landscaping, and a dedicated wall designed to recognize individual veterans.
The development of the French Broad Veterans Memorial Park highlights collaborative efforts that began in 2019. The venture was facilitated by Legacy Parks, with assistance from Knox County, and was made possible by the donation of 8.5 acres of land from Blue Water Industries in 2018. The park will be owned and operated by Knox County Parks & Recreation.
Carol Evans, the executive director of Legacy Parks, expressed appreciation for the support received from various organizations throughout the project. The creation of the park faced challenges, including delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rising costs of building materials. Nevertheless, the comprehensive fundraising efforts included both public and private sector donations, cumulatively amounting to an estimated total project cost of around $1.8 million.
Another notable feature of the park is a dedicated walking trail named after Buzz Buswell, a decorated combat veteran and the head of the Knox County Veterans Office. The path aims to provide visitors with a tranquil environment for reflection, further enhancing the memorial experience for families and visitors in the Knox County region.
The park boasts additional features such as natural service trails and a reflective garden that complements its overall mission. It aspires to serve as a serene site where the community can honor military service members, creating an inviting space for reflection and remembrance.
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Additional Resources
- Knox TN Today: Veterans Park at 40 City Pools
- Wikipedia: Memorial Parks
- WATE: New Memorial Park Open in Knoxville
- Google Search: Veterans Memorial Parks
- Knox Focus: New French Broad Veterans Memorial Park
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Memorial
- WBIR: French Broad Veterans Park Opens
- Google News: French Broad Veterans Memorial Park
