Volunteer Landing facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Volunteer Landing |
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| Type | Public park, riverwalk |
| Location | 300 Neyland Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee |
| Created | 1997 |
| Owned by | City of Knoxville |
| Operated by | Knoxville Public Building Authority |
| Open | Dawn to dusk unless posted otherwise |
| Public transit access | KAT 10, 11, 17 |
Volunteer Landing is a fun public park and riverwalk in Knoxville, Tennessee. It stretches along the Tennessee River, just below the famous Gay Street Bridge. It's a great spot for outdoor activities and enjoying the waterfront!
Contents
Discover Volunteer Landing's History
Volunteer Landing is built on a very important historical spot. This is where the Treaty of Holston was signed a long time ago.
How Volunteer Landing Was Created
In 1988, a special group was formed to study the riverfront area. They wanted to make the area along the Tennessee River better. Based on their ideas, a big project to build Volunteer Landing started in 1995. It was finished in September 1997.
When it was completed, Volunteer Landing had many cool features:
- A long boardwalk for walking.
- A main pavilion and plaza area.
- A pedestrian bridge for people to cross.
- Two brand new public parks.
Later, more things were added. In 1999, the Gateway Regional Visitor Center opened. It showed off the region's nature and technology. In 2000, the Volunteer Landing Marina was finished. This marina could hold 140 boats! A restaurant called Regas Riverfront Tavern also opened in 2000. This completed the big riverfront project.
Who Paid for Volunteer Landing?
Building Volunteer Landing was a huge effort. The state and local governments gave $10 million. The marina was built with about $3 million from private groups and a grant from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). The visitor center received $5.6 million from different government sources. The restaurant was built with about $6 million from private money. In total, the project cost $42 million. It was a mix of both public and private efforts working together.
Since 2007, the Public Building Authority has been in charge of managing Volunteer Landing.
Explore Volunteer Landing's Features
Volunteer Landing covers about 13 acres of land. Two new public parks were created as part of this project.
River Mountain Park
One of these parks is called River Mountain Park. It's located west of the main pavilion. This park shows off the region's rivers and mountains. It has special landscaping and water features that remind you of the natural beauty nearby.
First Creek Park
The second park is at the mouth of First Creek. This is a very important spot because it's where the city of Knoxville was first founded! This park has exhibits that tell the story of the city's beginnings.
Connecting Greenways
Volunteer Landing Park is a three-acre park that connects two other greenways: James White Greenway and Neyland Greenway. These are part of a larger downtown greenway system. This system is 19 miles long and runs from east to west, perfect for walking or biking!
Fun Activities at Volunteer Landing
Volunteer Landing is packed with fun things to do! The one-mile walk along the river offers many attractions.
Things to Do and See
- You can take exciting train rides.
- Enjoy relaxing riverboat cruises.
- Grab a bite to eat at the restaurants.
- Check out the boats at the marina.
Outdoor Fun
Many outdoor activities are available here:
- Go fishing in the river.
- Enjoy biking along the paths.
- Go for a walk or a run.
- Try paddling on the water.
Game Day Traditions
During University of Tennessee (UT) home football games, something special happens. The "Vol Navy" lines up their boats along the river at Volunteer Landing. This is part of a fun tailgating tradition before the games!
Park Amenities
The park also has great facilities for everyone:
- A fun playground for kids.
- Cool splash pads to play in on hot days.
- A shelter for shade or rain.
- Nice picnic areas for meals outdoors.
- Clean restrooms.
Volunteer Landing Docks
Volunteer Landing has important docks for boats.
The Original Dock
One dock was first built for the 1982 World's Fair. In 2017, a private boat accidentally hit and damaged this dock. It had to be closed for repairs. The city had already planned to improve it, but the accident sped things up. The new dock cost $270,000. Most of the money came from a grant by the TWRA. In April 2018, the city-owned 360-foot-long boat dock reopened.
The Vol Navy dock is located close to Neyland Stadium. This dock and a concrete pavilion were first built in 1994. A grant from the TWRA helped pay for it. In 1998, 200 feet were added to the dock. A brand new dock was completed in 2019. It is now almost 600 feet long! The TWRA gave a $400,000 grant for this project. The city and UT also contributed $100,000. The Public Building Authority managed the project. The city owns the dock, and UT helps keep it in good shape.
