Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon – in partnership with 6th District Councilman Denzel Grant – has invited a diverse group of community leaders to advise the City on future investments in Chilhowee Park.

The Chilhowee Park Advisory Group will meet for the first time at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, at the Jacob Building. All of the advisory group’s meetings are open to the public.

“As promised, we are moving forward collaboratively in making investments and improvements to Chilhowee Park,” Mayor Kincannon said. “For the first time in decades, Chilhowee Park will be managed as a park, rather than primarily as an event venue – and we’re committing new funding.

“Convening this advisory group provides yet another way for people to share their ideas and passion for one of Knoxville’s most beloved public spaces. I look forward to working with these and other stakeholders as, together, we make Chilhowee Park even better for the families who treasure it.”

Mayor Kincannon renewed her 2025 pledge to allocate $10 million over five years for Chilhowee Park improvements.

The Chilhowee Park Advisory Group (CPAG) follows the successful model established by the South Waterfront Advisory Group, a group of dedicated grassroots volunteers whose work helped create the South Waterfront Down River Master Plan.

Mayor Kincannon invited these 17 stakeholders to serve on the CPAG:

• Obayana Ajanaku – Executive Director, Drums Up Guns Down and drum instructor, Austin-East High and Vine Middle Schools

• Tylan Baker – Austin-East alumni, University of Tennessee student

• Brian Brooks – graphic designer, East Knoxville Business and Professional Association member

• Tammi Campbell – Knox County Schools

• Shaniya Cherry – Austin-East alumni, UT student, Youth Poet Laureate

• Allison Comer – CEO, Muse Knoxville

• Cynthia Finch – President, New Direction Health Care Solutions, Burlington Business Association

• Keith Foster – developer, Abundant Capital

• Adam Fritts – Community Schools Director, United Way of Greater Knoxville

• Sherene Jacobs – owner, Perk City

• Tracy Miller-Davis – Golden Gloves

• Albert Nelson – Community Action Committee, Lions Club

• Sabrina Robinson – former Director, Walter P. Taylor Boys & Girls Club

• Bill Street – CEO, Zoo Knoxville

• Derek Tate – community volunteer

• Clarence Vaughn – Executive Board member, Tennessee Valley Fair

• Keira Wyatt – Executive Director, CONNECT Ministries