“We're actually building on a 2015 report about how much money the urban wilderness is bringing into the Knoxville economy, we're going to be doing a lot more data collecting to be able to actually project the contribution of the economy coming from people using the urban wilderness,” explained Fitzhugh. That earlier study showed the economic impact as a “local amenity” was more than $8 million dollars. As a “regional destination” it could grow to $14.6 million dollars. And as a “nation destination” it could grow to add more than $29 million dollars yearly to the Knoxville economy. The top tourist draw in the city is Zoo Knoxville, credited by city leaders with pumping almost $30 million dollars into the local economy every year.

“Help ‘em build this place even bigger!” Supporters plan to 'study' and 'grow' Knoxville's Urban Wilderness