Sam Duff Memorial Park was originally the football and track facility for nearby Young High School. Sam Duff was the school’s principal from 1915 until 1949, making him the longest-serving principal at that school. When Young High closed in 1976, the Sam Duff Memorial Field became part of the Knoxville City Parks system. Over time, the bleachers were removed and several improvements added to the park, but no community-based master plan was in place. As usage and interest in the park has increased, the need for a community input process and a long-range development plan was identified.

Neighbors and users of Sam Duff Park, along with other interested parties—including the South Knoxville Beautification Committee and Knoxville Feral Cat Friends—were all invited to enjoin a process of input and review to develop a master plan for the park. Project consultant and nearby resident Madeline Rogero conducted a programming input meeting where focus groups expressed their likes, dislikes, and desires for the parks development. Volunteer architect Ken Moffett then prepared conceptual proposals based on the input received, which were reviewed at a second public meeting. The results from each meeting were then distributed to participants and used to guide the project. The long-range development master plan was refined to reflect community comments—in particular, incorporating accompanying entryway, plaza, and restroom renovation proposals— and ultimately, complete a citizen-based guide to shape the future of the park.