Dozens of volunteers showed up to help THRIVE Knoxville on Sunday, not only with cleaning up the city’s parks, but with construction of a brand-new one.

Spring Into Parks had volunteers head out to Auld Park and Youngs Park for cleanup and preparation; they raked leaves, picked up trash, did some routine maintenance and assembly on park items and made each site ready for usage for the coming spring and summer season.

On top of this, the new Panther Park was officially created on the block occupied by the Knoxville School District administrative offices; concrete footings were put into place ahead of time, and volunteers added flower beds, a sign and other amenities.

School District Superintendent Cassi Pearson says the empty space on what was once the junior high school campus has been largely unused for years; but now it will serve as a park not only for the neighborhood, but for anyone spending time downtown who wants to find a place to sit, relax, have lunch and enjoy the outdoors.

Not everything went according to plan, as some of the picnic tables which were to be assembled didn’t arrive on time; but there was still plenty to do as the volunteers built flower stands, planted flowers and added a sign made by studen om Knoxville High School.

Food was provided by Hy-Vee and the Knoxville Rotary Club, which grilled hot dogs and served everyone working on the site.

The KNIA/KRLS Big Red Radio was on the scene, making announcements for the people on hand and playing music as they worked.