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Covenant Health Park


Project Overview Client: Boyd Sports, Knoxville Smokies
Years: 2022-2025
Services: Wayfinding Strategy, Signage Design, Experiential Brand Activation, Sponsorship Masterplan, Naming Rights and Sponsorship Activation



Baseball returned to downtown Knoxville with the design of Covenant Health Park, a new home for the Knoxville Smokies (Chicago Cubs AA Affiliate) and One Knox SC (USL Leage One).

The goal of the ballpark design was to seamlessly integrate into the adjacent neighborhood and tie into the character of Knoxville’s Old City. 


Team 
Nick Abele, Project Lead, Designer
Shawn Sanem, Art Direction
Tiffany Zen, Planning 
Ashley Powell, Construction Detailing
Fabricators: Allen Signs

Work completed at Populous


Experiential Brand Activation 

that reference city landmarks and history from surrounding neighborhoods. 

The Tennessee Theatre marquee is one of downtown Knoxville’s most recognizable landmarks. So when when the Smokies announced their move downtown it seemed only fitting to design a marquee blade sign for the new ballpark. The design intentionally bears the city’s name (not a team, state, or sponsor) in order to be a beacon signifying that the venue belongs to the city, not just one team. The contours and layering mimic the Smoky Mountains. 

I designed a large scale mural for the grand staircase inside the First Base Gate. I drew inspiration from downtown Knoxville’s Strong Alley murals and Weaving Rainbow Mountain stairs in World’s Fair Park.