Cal Johnson Park

Historical Significance

Cal Johnson Park is a 3.7-acre public park located on Hall of Fame Drive in Knoxville, Tennessee. The park is named after Caldonia "Cal" Fackler Johnson, a prominent African-American businessman and philanthropist in Knoxville during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Born into slavery, Johnson rose to become one of the wealthiest African-American businessmen in Tennessee by the time of his death in 1925. Established in 1922, Cal Johnson Park was the first park in Knoxville to be named after a local member of the city's Black community.

Park Features

The park serves as an important recreational space for the East Knoxville neighborhood, offering various amenities for residents and visitors. One of the park's notable features is its basketball courts, which showcase a mural by artist and designer Erin Miller Wray.

The mural pays homage to Candace Parker, a WNBA All-Star who partnered with 2K Foundations on the project. The court design also honors Cal Johnson's legacy and the cultural significance of Black history in Knoxville.

Recreation Center

Adjacent to the park is the Cal Johnson Recreation Center, which contains additional facilities for community use. The center houses one of the largest gymnasiums in the City Parks and Recreation Department, as well as one of the largest weight and fitness rooms.

In 2020, the City of Knoxville celebrated significant improvements to both the park and recreation center, enhancing the overall experience for park visitors and community members.