Put on walking shoes, grab a friend – furry friends are welcome, too – and visit the beautiful shared public spaces in the park.

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All are welcome to visit the park and enjoy the beautiful green spaces and Cherokee Landing.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love UT Research Park. With trails, green spaces, an amphitheater, beautiful vistas and an archaeological preserve, it is an inspiring place to do business or spend an afternoon. Nearly 85 acres of the park are dedicated to an archaeological preserve of Native American settlements dating as early as 12,000 years ago. Our partnership with Legacy Parks Foundation will provide even more green reasons to visit and do business at UT Research Park.

Free Shuttle Service available

In an effort to serve UT’s research community, University of Tennessee Transit Services will provide shuttle service to the UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm.  Beginning at 8:00am, the T will start its route at Gate 21 at Neyland Stadium, and then make two additional stops on the main campus; near the Austin Peay Building and outside the Science Engineering Research Facility (SERF) – both on the Hill.  The route travels through campus and ends at the UT Research Park outside of the Institute of Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (IAMM) before returning to the main campus and Gate 21. The shuttle will run every 30-minutes until 6:30pm Monday through Friday during the academic year.

The T provides our students, staff, faculty, and visitors a safe, convenient, and efficient campus-wide transportation service. Service is fare-free for all passengers. For convenience, riders can track the bus via GPS on the UT App.  All buses are accessible to students with disabilities.

View the shuttle schedule

Cherokee Landing

Enjoy the 2.2-mile section of greenway along the shoreline of Cherokee Farm, connecting downtown Knoxville and the Neyland Greenway to UT Research Park. It’s also a key section of the Knox/Blount Greenway currently under construction.

Download greenways and trails map

As the earliest plans were being laid over a decade ago to transform the University’s Dairy Farm into the UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm, a remarkable discovery was made. Many people knew that Native Americans lived and continue to live near the Tennessee River, but when archaeological surveys were performed at Cherokee Farm, we learned the full extent of this unique and deep heritage: evidence of Native Americans living here dated back to 10,000 BC. Initially, plans were made to ensure these lands – totaling more than half of the Park’s 150 acres – would be preserved. But three years ago, our vision changed: instead of merely preserving this land, the Research Park would embark on plans to recognize and celebrate its truly unique heritage. And so, in partnership with the Legacy Parks Foundation, plans were made to create Cherokee Landing, a place where the Park’s unique cultural heritage and outstanding recreation potential would be developed, not just for the university but for the community at large. The site already has a 2-mile Knox-Blount Greenway along the riverfront, the university’s cross country course, and it is an increasingly popular place for recreation enthusiasts. Plans are now actively underway to imagine what else Cherokee Landing can become.

Cherokee Landing Boathouse Renderings

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“Wavelength”

Amy Loy / Ariani Harrison / Jacob Rabideau / Ethan Fox

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“Strata”

Jared Mullins / Gisele El Baaklini / Abram Harris / Shelby Mathews

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“Embedded”

Calie E. / Derek R. / Emily H. / Abner B. / Maddie S.

Above are three imaginative renderings from Architecture students envisioning an initial Cherokee Landing project, one which we hope will lead to several more efforts to acknowledge and celebrate the Park’s unique heritage! In addition to a student-designed boathouse structure, we hope to include an interpretive walk along the existing Greenway to help visitors understand what a special place the UT Research Park is!

THE TRILLIUM PAVILLION

In November of 2021, students in James Rose's studio, Loci Robotics, presented proposals for an outdoor recreation center intended for the 150-acre research park situated along the Tennessee River. This initiative, in collaboration with the Tennessee RiverLine, is presently being reviewed for planning.

Trillium Flower

Taking inspiration from the intricate shapes and patterns of the trillium plant, the pavilion is envisioned as a three-lobed, 3D-printed dome structure with doubly curved surfaces and radial geometries of 60 and 120 degrees. This innovative design not only offers seating and shade but also aims to become a striking focal point within the research park.

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Ready to visit the park?

AMPHITHEATER

The small amphitheater located in the center of UT Research Park is a perfect spot for informal gatherings.