Mayor Mike Ragsdale and former County Executive Tommy Schumpert, along with Schumpert's family, Superintendent McIntyre, County Commissioners, School Board Officials and a couple members from City Council, officially cut the ribbon this morning on the new 173-acre park in north Knox County bearing Schumpert's name. Under construction for almost two years, the regional park features three multi purpose fields for soccer, football and other sports, a baseball field that will be home to the Central High School Bobcats' Baseball team, the county's first Pet Safe Dog Park, a concession and restroom facility, and a connection to the Sterchi Hills Greenway.
According to Mayor Ragsdale, "This park is important for two reasons. First, it is fulfilling a major recreation need for a growing part of our county. This is a much better use of the land than we had originally planned and will benefit all Knox Countians."/p>
Ragsdale continued, "The park is also important because we honor one of our community's most respected and successful leaders, Tommy Schumpert. Mr Schumpert has served Knox County well in so many ways. He and his wife Charlotte are true community treasures. I will always be grateful for his friendship and dedicated efforts, which have made our county a much finer place."
Others participating in the opening were Doug Bataille, Senior Director of Parks and Recreation for the County, Dr. James McIntyre, Superintendent of Knox County Schools, Randy Boyd, President and CEO of Radio Systems Corporation, and Donna Cobble representing Character Counts! of Knoxville/Knox County. Knox County Schools contributed $200,000 to fund the baseball field and Radio Systems donated $100,000 for the dog park. The baseball field's scoreboard will feature a Character Counts! sign, one of several the organization has placed in local sports facilities.
The project team included Dan Martin from the Public Building Authority, Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon architects, and Merit Construction. The total budget for the park was $3,812,500.
