History of World's Fair Park

Since its inception in 1971, the Public Building Authority (PBA) of Knoxville has carried out joint and individual projects for Knox County and the City of Knoxville that have greatly enhanced our area’s attractions and services. One of the largest and most significant of the PBA endeavors in recent past is the construction and management of the new Convention Center and the subsequent upgrading and expansion of the World’s Fair Park.

The new World’s Fair Park is a state-of-the-art urban paradise that incorporates most of the major landmarks from the 1982 World’s Fair held in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, and takes the functionality of the site to an impressive new level.

The infrastructure of the park is designed to efficiently support events from an intimate wine-tasting to a huge outdoor concert. Electricity and water are strategically placed to accommodate one or more events taking place simultaneously, and thoughtfully conceived underpinnings like reinforced lawns, give the park extra strength and flexibility for a wide range of possible uses.

The park is rich with environmental features that are characteristic of the region. The dogwood – our city’s signature tree – can be seen everywhere, seasonal color adds interest throughout the year, and sweeping green lawns provide open, inviting, multi-purpose areas. Water in its many forms is a central feature of the park and the landscaping is an abundant mixture of both native and adaptive plants that reflect Knoxville’s close proximity to the mountains and the importance of nature in many of our lives.