KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Augusta Quarry at Fort Dickerson Park is making visible progress with the $3.6 million upgrades, according to the city of Knoxville.
Upgrades include the installation of restrooms, changing rooms, an expanded overlook, an improved pedestrian path to the water and a new floating beach and swim platforms.
The city said crews have installed footings for the five new buildings, water and electric utilities are being connected and concrete foundations will soon be poured. In addition, more grading has been done on the ramp leading to the water’s edge.
“We are on pace to complete this major upgrade and reopen the quarry by late fall, as scheduled,” Urban Wilderness Coordinator Wes Soward said. “While we hated to close the quarry for the summer, we hope that everyone who cherishes Augusta Quarry will agree that adding these unique amenities and making this special place safer, more family-friendly and more accessible to more people is worth the sacrifice.”
With a new $1.77 million entrance and accessibility improvements in Phase I, investment in Augusta Quarry upgrades totals almost $5.4 million, according to the city.
Because the quarry is an active construction site, the area is closed to the public. Cars that are parked on the road leading to the quarry or blocking the entrance gate will be towed.
While the quarry and Augusta Avenue entrance and parking lots will be closed, Soward said the Chapman Highway entrance to Fort Dickerson Park and picnic areas will remain open. The park’s upper trails also will remain open.
Construction is expected to finish by late fall.