March 18, 2014 - Knoxville Utility Board contractors will be removing vegetation away from City-owned utility lines in Lakeshore Park, necessitating the temporary closure of part of the park's greenway.
A section of the greenway will be closed from 3-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, and Thursday, March 20. Trees along the greenway, west of the soccer fields and south of the entrance from South Northshore Drive, will be pruned.
The utility lines previously were owned by the State of Tennessee, before the state tracts were transferred and added to the City park last year.
City of Knoxville Urban Forester Kasey Krouse said the utility pruning will be done adhering to industry standards and should not have any negative long-term health impacts on the trees.
"This is another example of the importance of planting the appropriate trees in an appropriate location and making sure large growth trees are planted at least 50 feet away from utility lines," Krouse said.