ASPIRE PARK

THE EXCHANGE, THE LAUNCH, THE ONWARD + UPWARD CENTER

 

Aspire Park

COMPLETION YEAR:
2024

LOCATION:
Clinton, TN

SIZE:
450 Acres

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
MHM, Architect of Record, partnered with PORT Urbanism to design Aspire Park, a 450-acre regional destination in Clinton, Tennessee. Nestled between a highway, an active rail line, and the Clinch River, the park’s design is shaped by its four distinct landscapes—the mountain, river, island, and meadow.

As visitors enter the park, they first discover The Exchange, a 200-foot-long public market pavilion with restrooms and concessions, offering a gathering space for events, markets, and community activities. Nearby, visitors find tree groves, a dog park, a veterans' memorial, and pathways connecting to the broader park.

Along the Clinch River, the 5,000-square-foot kayak launch, The Launch, echoes The Exchange’s form and materials. It features restrooms, changing rooms, lockers, and a secure rental area for water sports equipment.

The 22,000-square-foot Onward & Upward Event Center anchors the park as a visitor’s center, event venue, and restaurant, all adjacent to a 1.5-acre Adventure Playground, a 2-acre bike pump track, and 18 miles of biking and hiking trailheads. Additional park features include an 8-acre wildflower meadow, nearly 2,500 newly planted trees, and a canopy walk wrapping an existing water tank, offering panoramic views of the Great Smoky Mountains.

PHOTOGRAPHY: © Sterling E. Stevens / MHM

 

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