About 3.8 miles of former rail line are being reimagined as a new recreational corridor in South Knoxville. Construction is officially underway on the SoKno Rail Trail and Art Walk, with an opening anticipated this fall.

Led by the Legacy Parks Foundation in collaboration with several local partners, the project will transform the corridor into both a trail and an open-air gallery, connecting Chapman Highway to Ijams Nature Center.

Get to know the trail before embarking on adventures this fall. | Map provided by Legacy Parks Foundation

Once complete, the path will welcome walkers, runners, cyclists, and families with strollers. A 1.5-mile stretch will double as an Art Walk, dotted with murals, sculptures, and preserved rail elements that pay tribute to the area’s history. The first art installation — a historic caboose once owned by B. Ray Thompson — was unveiled last week, wrapped in a mural by artist Emmanuel Jarus.

Two trailheads will anchor the project: one at River’s Edge Apartments and another at Kern’s Food Hall. Plans also include two pocket parks and a lighted tunnel with integrated design features.

Trail surfacing is expected to begin in April.