Frank Murphy interviews Carol Evans, Executive Director of Legacy Parks Foundation. Legacy Parks works to expand parks, create trails and increase access to rivers. Since 2005, Legacy Parks has raised over $32 million for parks and open space, helped conserve 1,000 acres of forest and farmland, and added over 800 acres of parkland in the region. The foundation has five areas of focus: 
Connect our Greenways and Trails
Create Recreational Opportunities for the Underserved 
Exceed the National Average for Public Parks and Green Space
Maintain the Health of and Access to Our Waterways
Preserve Our Ridges and Views

Their current and upcoming projects include art installations along the SoKno Rail Trail & Art Walk and a new pedestrian bridge at Seven Islands State Birding Park. Learn more at https://legacyparks.org/ 

The annual Legacy Luncheon for the Parks will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. at Johnson University. This year's guest speaker will be Conor Knighton of CBS Sunday Morning. He is the author of book Leave Only Footprints: My Acadia-to-Zion Journey Through Every National Park. Tickets and information are available at https://legacyparks.org/2026-legacy-luncheon-for-the-parks/ 

Frank Murphy interviews Carol Evans, Executive Director of Legacy Parks Foundation. Legacy Parks works to expand parks, create trails and increase access to rivers. Since 2005, Legacy Parks has raised over $32 million for parks and open space, helped conserve 1,000 acres of forest and farmland, and added over 800 acres of parkland in the region. The foundation has five areas of focus:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Connect our Greenways and Trails</li>
<li>Create Recreational Opportunities for the Underserved&nbsp;</li>
<li>Exceed the National Average for Public Parks and Green Space</li>
<li>Maintain the Health of and Access to Our Waterways</li>
<li>Preserve Our Ridges and Views</li>
</ul>
Their current and upcoming projects include art installations along the SoKno Rail Trail &amp; Art Walk and a new pedestrian bridge at Seven Islands State Birding Park. Learn more at <a href="https://legacyparks.org/">https://legacyparks.org/</a>&nbsp;
The annual Legacy Luncheon for the Parks will be held on Friday, September 25, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. at Johnson University. This year's guest speaker will be Conor Knighton of CBS Sunday Morning. He is the author of book Leave Only Footprints: My Acadia-to-Zion Journey Through Every National Park. Tickets and information are available at <a href="https://legacyparks.org/2026-legacy-luncheon-for-the-parks/">https://legacyparks.org/2026-legacy-luncheon-for-the-parks/</a>&nbsp;

East Tennessee Now is a community oriented public affairs program designed to address local problems and issues and explore possible or existing solutions. The program features community leaders, representatives of area non-profits, healthcare professionals and other experts in their respective fields.