Fox Den Playground opens at Bays Mountain Park

KINGSPORT — A long-anticipated addition to Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium opened Friday as city leaders, park staff and families gathered for the ribbon cutting of the new Fox Den Playground. The project honors Staff Sgt. Parker Gordon Fox, who died in 2020. His parents, David and Brenda Fox, have worked with Bays Mountain park staff and the city since then, planning and fundraising for the project. A project years in development Assistant City Manager Michael Borders described the effort as "one epic journey," noting the idea for a new play feature dates back more than 15 years to an early ropes-course proposal that stalled for lack of funding. Momentum returned in 2020 when the Fox family partnered with the city to create a playground honoring Parker's connection to the park. "In true Kingsport spirit," Borders said, "the Fox family decided to turn a tragedy into a positive impact for a park which Parker held dear." The project's location shifted several times before the 2023 Park Improvement Plan formally established the playground as a central feature near key amenities. Borders said the project ultimately succeeded because of widespread community backing. "There was an outpouring of community support," he said. "From large individual donors, businesses, to people who gave $1 and everything in between, the message was clear, this project is happening." Mayor Paul Montgomery called the playground "another jewel in our crown." "We're proud of what's happening here, especially proud of this addition that we have coming on this day," he said. Bays Mountain Park Manager Megan Krager reflected on the playground's progress since groundbreaking in December 2024. "This playground tells many stories, stories about challenging weather, about the Fox family's longtime love of Bays Mountain and about the personal memories tied to Parker," she said. "But most importantly, new stories that are going to be made and created here . . . new experiences families get to make and share." Krager thanked project donors, including corporate sponsor BAE Systems. "Without their help and their donation, this playground would not be possible," she said. "That's truly the Kingsport spirit." Honoring Parker Fox Parker's sister, Madelyn Fox-Defago, shared stories about her brother's humor, kindness and strong connection with children. She said the playground reflects both her brother's love of the outdoors and his natural ability to relate to kids. "He always understood kids on a fundamental level and took their thoughts and feelings seriously, treating them with the same respect he would anyone else, and they gravitated toward that," she said. After Parker's passing, choosing Bays Mountain as the site to honor him felt natural, she said. "How can we ever express everything that he meant to us and to everyone he knew? But without us even talking about it, we knew it would have something to do with Bays Mountain," Fox-Defago said. "This place has been a touchstone for our family for over 30 years." She said the family was deeply moved by the community's support throughout planning and construction. "You all have shown us over and over what makes Kingsport and Bays Mountain so special," she said. "He would be so proud of what you all have made here." Open to the public The Fox Den Playground, now open to visitors, features nature-themed structures and inclusive design elements. The approximately quarter-acre site is accessible to people of all ages and abilities. Features include multiple climbing structures and slides, such as the Timber Tower, Log Jam, Songbird, Log Pile and Log Steppers. The total cost of the project was $940,000, with a majority of funding coming from private donations. Kingsport broke ground on the playground in December 2024, with construction beginning this past spring. Those at the ribbon cutting included Mayor Paul Montgomery, City Manager Chris McCartt, Assistant City Manager Michael Borders, David and Brenda Fox, Madelyn Fox-Defago, Vice Mayor Darrell Duncan, Alderman Gary Mayes and Bays Mountain Park Manager Megan Krager.