A recent survey conducted by the Knox County Parks Board in March has revealed valuable insights. Jessica Sandcork, who received over 400 responses from county residents, presented a summary of the results to the board on Wednesday. When asked about the park’s value, more than 75% of respondents highlighted the importance of amenities such as seating areas, picnic spaces, cleanliness, and accessible bathrooms. Additionally, 50% expressed their preference for play areas, well-maintained lawns, biking and walking paths, proper lighting, clear signage, affordable event admission, ADA compliance, and designated smoke-free zones. Regarding priorities, respondents were asked to rank the significance of various elements. Improvements to park features ranked first, closely followed by the desire for an ADA-accessible playground. Lastly, community members were asked to rate the Knox County Parks on a scale of 1 to 5. Ouabache Trails received an average rating of 4 out of 5, Hillcrest Park scored 3 out of 5, Fox Ridge obtained 4 out of 5, Emison Mills received 1 out of 5, and Pyramid Mounds Park averaged 3 out of 5.
