Perry Childress represented the East Tennessee Community Design Center at the Hastie Park Celebration Saturday April 17. William H. Hastie Natural Area is a 75-acre city park named after the first African-American federal judge who was born and raised in South Knoxville. The ETCDC worked with the surrounding neighborhoods, the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club, and the city park department to develop a master plan for the park with the help of Cliff Brooks, our volunteer in 2008-09.

The park is part of the 97 acre Chandler family farm where the Chandler family lived for 18 years and 8 of their 13 children were born. In memory of their mother they built a picnic shelter at the approximate location of the old homestead. Mr. Chandler and all but 1 of his children were present for the dedication and sang “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” in honor of the family matriarch. Also on the program was Andre Canty of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center who gave a presentation about Judge Hastie.