April 18, 2019
Fort Kid, Knoxville’s community-built playground at the World’s Fair Park, will celebrate its 28th birthday with ice cream and cake on Saturday, April 20, from 2-4 p.m. at 1049 World’s Fair Park Drive.
Fort Kid was designed by the children of Knoxville and built in five consecutive days, April 3-7, 1991, by 2,500 volunteers from the greater Knoxville area. Visitors to Fort Kid for the birthday celebration will be served Cruze Farm ice cream and Magpies Bakery cake.
Fort Kid re-opened March 28 after closing in November for minor repairs. The repairs were made by the Public Building Authority; however the City of Knoxville anticipates closing Fort Kid again. The city intends to replace the existing retaining wall on the west side of Fort Kid with a grassy sloped design wall that would require complete demolition of Fort Kid.
Although the City has been in negotiations with volunteers of Fort Kid, the City is not currently offering an alternative which would involve restoring and improving the existing structures.
The volunteers will keep the public advised of the fate of Fort Kid as matters progress, appreciates the public’s support of Fort Kid and encourages all to enjoy it now while it remains open.
About Fort Kid
Fort Kid is a 12,000-square-foot playground that includes slides, swings and other play structures. The playground is located adjacent to the World’s Fair Park and the Knoxville Museum of Art. Built in five days in 1991 by more than 2,500 volunteers, the playground has served as a downtown destination for children and their families for 28 years. For updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/FortKid/.
