New French Broad Veterans Memorial Park to open

By Mike Steely

Senior Writer

steelym@knoxfocus.com

High above the French Broad River and overlooking the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery is a knoll next to a quarry. The 8.5 acres of land were donated in 2018 to Legacy Parks by Blue Water Industries.

A great deal of work has gone into the site to create something very special to honor veterans and offer a wonderful view of the cemetery far below. On Friday, May 16, a ceremony to officially open the French Broad Veterans Park will be held.

Legacy Parks raised funds for the new park, located just off the Governor John Sevier Highway, from veteran groups, the county, the state, businesses and private donors. About $2 million went into clearing and developing the site atop the bluff that will feature a pavilion to hold 75 people, an overlook, an ADA memorial walk, a reflective garden, natural service trails and a memorial wall honoring individual veterans.

The Legacy Parks’ effort now becomes a Knox County Park honoring all men and women who served. Those veterans, their families, and the public will soon be able to visit and remember the military service all veterans provided.

RSVP requests to attend the 11 a.m. ceremony should be emailed to Legacy Parks at rhartsell@legacyparks.org.