Urban Wilderness Gateway Park

Urban Wilderness Gateway Park is a recently developed outdoor recreation area located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The park serves as a key entrance point to Knoxville's larger Urban Wilderness system, which spans over 1,000 acres of forested land south of the Tennessee River.

Completed in multiple phases between 2020 and 2024, the Gateway Park project transformed an underutilized four-lane highway into a 2.2-mile, 113-acre linear park. This conversion has created new connections between downtown Knoxville and the expansive trail networks of the Urban Wilderness.

The park features a mix of natural and developed areas designed to facilitate outdoor activities and community gatherings. A centerpiece of the park is the Baker Creek Pavilion, which opened in March 2024. This structure provides shade, restroom facilities, and serves as a focal point for visitors entering the multi-use trails and bike park located within Baker Creek Preserve.

Urban Wilderness Gateway Park is part of a broader initiative to enhance Knoxville's reputation as a center for outdoor recreation and conservation. The park connects to a network of trails that link various city parks, historic sites, and natural areas, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, and other outdoor pursuits within close proximity to the city's urban core.

The development of the park has been a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders, including the City of Knoxville, Legacy Parks Foundation, and the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club. Its creation aims to improve access to outdoor spaces for local residents while also attracting visitors and boosting the area's outdoor recreation economy.