News

February 2026

Friday, February 6th, 2026

Urban Wilderness Gateway Park’s Gateway Pavilion Ribbon Cutting!

The ribbon on the newest phase of Urban Wilderness Gateway Park was cut on Thursday, February 5th! Sanders Pace worked alongside PORT Urbanism, JMT, FE Engineering, and FSC to realize this vision that began when we were brought on by the City of Knoxville in 2017. The new family-serving amenities include four bathrooms, shade structures, a water refilling station, picnic tables and play features that include slides and climbing areas built into the slopes, using natural boulders and landscaping.

The park is strategically located as a meet-up and jumping-off spot for local families looking to enjoy a leisurely day outing in the Urban Wilderness – or for outdoor adventurers visiting from other parts of the country, as word of Knoxville’s world-class mountain biking and water amenities spreads.

The Baker Creek Bike Park is less than a half-mile from the Urban Wilderness Gateway Park. The area is a nexus to a rich network of roughly 70 miles of trails.

The Gateway Park is one of the last pieces of the larger overall Urban Wilderness public amenities plan.

Over the course of a decade – with utility, road and parking upgrades, enhanced greenways, and the nearby Baker Creek pavilion – the City has invested about $11 million in creating an Urban Wilderness entryway experience and connection to the bike park.

Creating these unique new outdoor public amenities addresses multiple community needs. The investments build up Knoxville economically while benefiting Knoxville residents’ physical and mental health and improving the quality of life for families citywide.

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