Page 10 - Nov-Dec2022 Vol 40 No 5

FARRAGUT By Wendy Smith
Ambitious Town Park Project

Required All Hands on Deck

In many ways, the history of McFee Fowler P.C., kicked off in fall 2019. 2009, included a rectangular field, a
Park in Farragut, Tenn., reflects the Construction began in spring 2020. practice field, a restroom, a parking lot
history of the town. Both started small When Phase 3 of McFee Park opened and a short walking trail. The ribbon
and are now vibrant and bursting with this year, a collective sigh of relief could was cut on Phase 2 – a playground, a
amenities. be heard from the entire staff. Now they small splashpad, a pavilion, restrooms,
Both also required a team effort can look back and appreciate the shared additional parking and an extension of
from day one. The Town of Farragut effort that made this already-popular the walking trail – in 2011.
is a product of community volunteers, park attractive to even more users. At that point, approximately one
including elected officials, and a small, quarter of the 52-acre site was developed,
dedicated staff. McFee Park is a product Park’s Land Was Purchased in 1995 so there was still plenty of room to grow.
of almost every member of that staff. It all started with the purchase of 26 Based on citizen input, a new master
The ribbon was cut on Phase 3 acres in rural Farragut in 1995. The first plan for the park was created in 2012. But
improvements to the park in June 2022. phase of the park’s development was after a flood of activity, the town took a
The newest section of the park includes delayed due to construction of McFee break to focus on other projects.
a Great Lawn – approximately six acres Road, which provides access to the park.
of rolling, grassy open space – plus four A master plan completed in 1999 shows Splashpad Expansion Draws
lighted tennis courts that double as eight amenities that were never installed – two Increased Crowds
pickleball courts, a lighted basketball diamond fields, volleyball courts and The failure of the original splashpad
court and a special event pavilion with a horseshoe pitch. By the time Phase resulted in one major improvement
restrooms. The park’s walk trail was 1 began, priorities had changed. This in 2016: the small, single-element
extended to circle the Great Lawn, and a frequently happens with park master splashpad was replaced by a system with
new entrance and driveway were added, plans, according to Farragut Parks & 17 elements. The McFee Park splashpad
as well as parking. Recreation Director Sue Stuhl. is now the largest in West Knox County
The project was a labor of love that A flurry of construction, as well as and is a popular regional attraction
took almost three years. Design of the the purchase of two adjacent properties, during the summer months.
17-acre project, completed by Ross/ began in 2008. Phase 1, completed in The park’s master plan was updated in

Above left: Construction of the 17-acre expansion of McFee Park began in spring 2020. Above right: A ribbon cutting for McFee Park Phase 3 was held at a new
special event pavilion in June 2022. No permanent seating is provided at the pavilion, which allows for flexible use of the space.
10 TPW November/December 2022