Mayor Bill Haslam, City Council members and Mechanicsville residents celebrated the opening of Danny Mayfield Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony today.

"This neighborhood park is designed with the entire community in mind - an outdoor classroom area for Maynard Elementary School teachers and students; a playground for toddlers; and open space for youth and adults to enjoy as they wish," Mayor Haslam said.

The park is named for the late Councilman Danny Mayfield, Knoxville College alumnus, co-founder of the urban ministry Tribe One, and a community leader who represented the 6th District until his death from bone cancer in 2001.

Attending the ceremony were members of Councilman Mayfield's family including his widow, Melissa Mayfield Hornsby; children, Din and Nia; and his father, Danny Mayfield.

In keeping with Councilman Mayfield's interest in community building, the City of Knoxville held two public meetings to solicit residents' suggestions for the park's design.

As a result, the outdoor classroom was moved closer to Maynard Elementary School for easier access by students and teachers; a plaque with the names of 40 community leaders is installed in the park; and a water fountain and additional seating were added. The nearly two-acre park also includes playground equipment for toddlers.

Funding for the park came primarily through federal grants administered by the City of Knoxville and Knoxville's Community Development Agency.