Kingsport awards bid for Riverbend Park phase one

The City of Kingsport has awarded a bid for the first phase of construction for the Riverbend Park project.

The project calls for the creation of a new, 24-acre park built along the South Fork of the Holston River behind the Walmart Supercenter on Fort Henry Drive, stretching from Riverbend Drive to Wesley Road.

First phase will include a half-mile, granite walking trail along the river, a fishing pier and emergency access to the park. TVA is funding and working with the City of Kingsport to improve the existing parking area at the end of Wesley Road to include an ADA parking space.

King General Contractors submitted the low bid of $952,601 for phase one with a contingency of $57,156. Work is expected to start late spring/early summer and wrap up by the end of the year.

“In our parks and recreation master plan, consultants recommended the city connect both active and passive recreation offerings to the Holston River and our downtown,” said Kitty Frazier, parks and recreation manager. “This project helps us reach that goal and we think it’ll spur greater outdoor interest all along the Holston River.”

Kingsport has designed Riverbend Park to be a multi-phase project that can be developed over a 5 to 10 year period. Conceptual drawings show the park having roughly 2,646 feet of riverbank access with gateway entrances at both ends of the trail. Drawings also show the park with various play areas, pavilions, restrooms, benches, scenic spots, and interpretive signs spaced at various locations along the river.

For more information on Kingsport’s parks, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.