Dogwood Arts features new Dogwood Trail this spring
March 8, 2022

Courtesy of Dogwood Arts

KNOXVILLE – Dogwood Arts is excited to announce the addition of the first new Dogwood Trail to be added to the Historic Dogwood Trails & Gardens program in more than 20 years.

The West Hills Dogwood Trail will make its official debut this spring with community leaders, Dogwood Arts, and the West Hills neighborhood homeowners celebrating the Grand Opening of the Trail with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community celebration at John Bynon Park on Thursday, March 24th from 4-6PM.

Originally developed in the 1950s, West Hills was the city’s first major post-World War II subdivision and the first to consist primarily of modern ranch-style houses. The beauty of the West Hills neighborhood will be on full display during Knoxville’s favorite springtime celebration - with over 8 miles of blooming landscapes for the public to enjoy adding to more than 85 miles along the 12 other Dogwood Trails - all open April 1-30, 2022.

While the West Hills Dogwood Trail was officially established in 2022, creating a Dogwood Trail requires years of preparation by homeowners and community organizers. Dogwood Arts recognizes the early efforts of the West Hills Garden Club and Beautification Committee, along with the foresight of original homeowners who planted dogwoods, maintained gorgeous yards, and nurtured blooming gardens throughout the 60+ years of West Hills’ history. The West Hills Community Association has worked tirelessly to be recognized as an official Dogwood Trail since 2016 - following rigorous guidelines regarding community involvement and exceeding the expectations of the Dogwood Trails & Gardens Committee to make this dream a reality.

“After spending several months during an historic pandemic, volunteers canvassed the neighborhood knocking on doors, leaving cards, and flyers, and speaking with more than 400 residents along the proposed route. The result was an astounding 97.5% positive response rate,” said Lee Hume, President of the West Hills Community Association. “Looking forward, having the Dogwood Trail will strengthen the bonds that unite our neighborhood. Becoming an official part of the Dogwood Arts Trails & Gardens program sets a standard of excellence that will not only encourage beautiful lawns and landscapes, but will raise community pride.”

The first Dogwood Trail was planted in 1955, and now you can ‘follow the pink lines’ through 85+ miles of architecturally diverse, blooming neighborhoods in all four quadrants of the city.

The Dogwood Trails, Open Gardens, and Camera Sites are open to the public from April 1-30, 2022. The West Hills Dogwood Trail is sponsored by Daniel Park, Realty Executives. Find out more at dogwoodarts.com/trailsandgardens. Dogwood Arts, presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union, is a 501(c)3 organization with a mission to promote and celebrate our region’s art, culture, and natural beauty.