Cal Johnson Community Center
507 Hall of Fame Drive
Knoxville, TN 37915
865-522-3177
Downtown Knoxville
Recreation Specialists from left to right -- Darrow Davenport and Juaneshia Cowan
Directions: From I-40, Merge onto TN-158 W/JAMES WHITE PKWY via EXIT 388A toward JAMES WHITE PKY. Take the exit toward SUMMIT HILL DR. Turn LEFT onto E SUMMIT HILL DR. Turn RIGHT onto HALL OF FAME DR. End at 507 Hall Of Fame Dr.
Cal Johnson Community Center is located in the heart of Downtown Knoxville on the same block as the John J. Duncan Jr. Knoxville Station. This center features one of the City Parks and Recreation Department's largest gymnasiums as well as one of the largest weight/fitness rooms.
Read more about the
"Rejuvenated Cal Johnson Rec Center Dedicated" on September 23, 2020. Improvements included the renovation of the recreation center, installation of new fitness room equipment, installation of new play structure, and resurfaced outdoor basketball courts with a mural, in partnership with 2K Foundations and Candace Parker.
COMMUNITY CENTER SCHEDULE
Are you interested in knowing what is going on at Cal Johnson Community Center? Click below for a printable version of this month’s program calendar!
Cal Johnson Monthly Calendar [PDF]
HISTORY OF THE CENTER
Caldonia “Cal” Fackler Johnson (1844-1925) was a businessman and philanthropist in Knoxville during the late 19
th 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.
Click here to read more about Cal Johnson from a 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 Community 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"
RULES AND REGULATIONS IN CITY COMMUNITY CENTERS
The following are prohibited in city community centers:
1) Possession of firearms and weapons
2) Possession of drugs, alcohol, or any elicit substance
3) Smoking or use of tobacco products
4) Gambling
5) Use of profanity
6) Fighting
7) Dunking or hanging on rims of basketball goals
8) Pets
9) Only indoor court shoes allowed (ex: tennis shoes or non-marking soles)
Violation of these rules or any other rules set by individual centers may result in suspension from this center and others. Suspension terms will be set by each center.