PARK DETAILS

• 3.7 acres • 1 shelter • picnic table • playground • 2 basketball courts • Cal Johnson Recreation Center • Adjacent to John J. Duncan Knoxville Area Transit Center • Parking: 47

RIDE THE BUS TO THIS PARK

Take any route to Knoxville Station - 2 min. walk

City Council District: 6

Cal Johnson Park

507 Hall of Fame Dr.
Knoxville, TN 37915

East Knoxville

Directions:  From I-40, take James White Parkway exit; take Summit Hill exit; turn left onto Summit Hill Drive; at light, turn right onto Hall of Fame Drive; park is on right about one fourth of a mile. Next to Cal Johnson Recreation Center. 



Cal Johnson Park is located on over 3 acres off of Hall of Fame Drive. With Downtown Knoxville as a backdrop, the park features tennis and basketball courts, playground, picnic areas and a shelter.  The City celebrated many improvements to the park and recreation center in the fall of 2020.  Click here to learn more.

The park is also home to Cal Johnson Recreation Center, which contains a weight room, gymnasium, indoor basketball, and a meeting room that can be reserved.




HISTORY OF THE PARK

Caldonia “Cal” Fackler Johnson (1844-1925) was a businessman and philanthropist in Knoxville during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born into slavery, Johnson rose to become a prominent racetrack and saloon owner, and by the time of his death, was one of the wealthiest African-American businessmen in Tennessee. Johnson also owned several thoroughbred racehorses, one of which captured a world speed record in 1893.
Learn more about Cal Johnson from City blog
Learn more about Cal Johnson Park & History from Beck Cultural Exchange Center

Nikki Giovanni Historical Marker
A historical marker honoring Nikki Giovanni was unveiled on May 23, 2019.  The historical marker is located near the entrance of the Cal Johnson Recreation Center.
Click here to read more about Nikki Giovanni.
Click here to read a blog post about the unveiling event. (include photos of the marker, link to photo gallery, and a video of the entire event where Giovanni read "Knoxville, Tennessee"



PARK RULES & REGULATIONS

1.) For the protection of our park and the safety of its users, the following are prohibited:

• No alcoholic beverages
• No open fires
• No hitting golf balls anywhere in the park
• No motorized vehicles in park
• No equestrian activity

2.) Per city ordinance, all animals must be maintained on a leash.
3.) Please be respectful of other trail users.
4.) Please help to keep our parks beautiful by disposing trash in proper receptacles.
5.) Hours - Open dawn to dusk unless otherwise posted.