Two Knox County Parks and Recreation greenway projects are moving forward, after Knox County Commission approved agreements Monday that will make those greenways a reality.

Nearly a mile of greenway, known as the Halls Park to School Link, will be constructed to connect Halls Elementary School to Norris Freeway, where work is currently underway on the Halls Connector Road Project. The new greenway will pass through what will become Clayton Park.

“This project will provide a safe route for students who walk to school, as well as additional recreational opportunities for Halls residents,” Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett said. “In a busy and growing part of the county, these are much-needed improvements that will increase pedestrian accessibility in the Halls community.”

The Halls Park to School Link will also connect business, religious, civic and commercial services in the Halls Crossroads area. Knox County will use $501,282 in federal pass-through money from TDOT, with a local match of $125,320.

In addition to the Halls Park to School Link, Knox County Commission also approved an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to construct a greenway loop at the future site of Plumb Creek Park on Hickey Road in northwest Knox County. The mile-long Plumb Creek Loop is expected to cost a total of $100,000, with $80,000 coming from TDEC and the remaining $20,000 coming from Knox County. A dog park planned for Plumb Creek is one of the PetSafe dog parks that Randy Boyd, CEO and founder of PetSafe, has committed to building in our community.

“Both of these greenway projects will increase the quality of life for Knox County’s residents,” Mayor Burchett said. “We have a strong park system, and it is important that we continue to focus on maintaining our existing park properties and ensuring that they are great places for families to spend time together.”