Foundation Fitness Co.

Tommy Schumpert Park – Knoxville (Halls)

As a Fountain City/Halls regular, this park was one of my first explorations in the area. Located right off of Broadway in Halls, it is easily accessible from several directions, and is a great place to run or bring your doggies! This article will detail all things about the park from a runner’s perspective.

How to Get There

From Broadway Southbound – Take a right turn onto Rifle Range Dr. and follow through one stop sign, then turn right onto Fountain City Rd., and you’ll see the sign.

From Broadway Northbound – If you’ve taken I-40 to I-640 to the Broadway exit, continue on Broadway all the way through the strip. You’ll come up over a big hill with a red light about halfway down. That’s Rifle Range Dr. Take a left turn onto Rifle Range Dr. and follow through one stop sign, then turn right onto Fountain City Rd., and you’ll see the sign.

From West Knoxville, Hop on I-40 East to I-640 East to the Broadway exit. Take a Left onto Broadway and continue north.

From Hardin Valley – Take Hardin Valley Rd. to Schaad Rd. and make a left. Take Schaad all the way across Oak Ridge Highway and Clinton Highway and continue on Callahan Dr.. Callahan turns into Dante Rd., which turns into Fountain City Rd., and then you’ll see the sign for Tommy Schumpert on the left just before you meet Rifle Range!

Best Things About This Park

The Trail

The color-coded maps snapshot above shows the main part of the park, but not the entire Sterchi Greenway, which adds the rest of the 5 mile trail. More on that one in this post.

1. Parking at the southmost lot, you’ll find a gravel lot and the main path that comes around between the lot and the fields. To the left will take you around and up the hill around all fields. To the right will take you to the dog parks and the connection of the greenway.
2. Taking the right, you’ll cross a little creek on a bridge and open up into the AYSO soccer complex with several fields. This area can be a bit congested depending on if practices and games are being held.
3. Continuing on this path to the right, you’ll descend from the fields into a wooded path that ends up running parallel to Rifle Range. This path will be completely shaded—and DARK on winter mornings and evenings. The path is paved, but has lots of uneven spots where roots have broken through. Strollers and wheelchairs be careful!
4. At the end of the wooded path, you’ll cross Fountain City Rd. (PLEASE WATCH TRAFFIC), and enter a path that leads between a few subdivisions.
5. This stretch has one BRUTAL hill. On your way out, it’s downhill. But on your way back to the car, it’s rough. A great place for hill sprints, as it’s long and steep, but the pavement is very smooth with few tripping hazards.
6. After The Hill (which you’ll see if you use Strava), you’ll cross a road and run through a small meadow (see below) before connecting to Sterchi Hills Park.

Tommy Schumpert is one of my favorite parks in town due to it’s location, dog parks, and fairly flat route. The Hill provides a great place for hill training, and the greenway always feels very safe!