Knoxville’s urban wilderness is gaining new ground in the midst of a debate over its future development.
The wilderness gained a hundred acres this week in a land grant from the family of late Knoxville businessman and developer Pat Wood.
The grant comes in the middle of a debate over the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s plans for the James White Parkway. A portion of Knoxville’s urban wilderness lies in the path of a $104 million dollar planned parkway extension. TDOT has submitted a new plan and will accept a new round of public comment in early October, but Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero has continued to voice opposition of the extension.