Perfect weather, great friends and great fun at our annual Legacy Luncheon for the Parks. We appreciate the support of each of you.
First, I announced a fund-raising milestone. We have raised $1.3 million this year to create the French Broad Veterans Memorial Park in east Knox County, and construction is set to begin in 2023. This beautiful 7-acre park will provide a gathering place for celebration, commemoration and reflection overlooking the French Broad River and the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.
To date, Legacy Parks has raised more than $11 million for parks and trails, added over 600 acres of parkland in Knox County, and created over 50 miles of trails within Knoxville’s city limits.
We also announced creation of the SoKno Rail Trail, a 1.5-mile trail along the rail line in the heart of South Knoxville’s business district. And in west Knoxville, another trail will be created at West Hills Park. It will be a natural-surface trail that meanders through the woods at this beloved community park.
Last year, Legacy Parks Foundation announced the goal to create Access for All to outdoor recreation so that people with disabilities can enjoy the benefits of playing in our beautiful woods and waterways. Two great projects have since been completed.
An adaptive trail was created at Dogwood Elementary in south Knoxville leading directly from the school’s playground to the existing outdoor classroom, allowing all children – including those using mobility devices – navigable access to the outdoor learning space.
Legacy Parks also added an adaptive boat launch on Beaver Creek at Powell High Landing in north Knox County.
In continuation of these efforts, adaptive access will be added on the French Broad River. Through a partnership with Knox County, TWRA and TVA, we will be enhancing Cruze Landing to upgrade the boat ramp and install a fully adaptive boat dock for all types of paddle craft.
And we must acknowledge the recent groundbreaking with the city of Knoxville at Morningside Park to transform it into a BlueCross BlueShield Healthy Place. Legacy Parks was awarded the $5 million BlueCross BlueShield Healthy Place grant in 2020 to create the multi-generational, multi-ability playspace.
A new initiative is Play Every Day. We are working with many partners including Visit Knoxville, Knox County, the city of Knoxville and national consultants to enhance our community sports fields with artificial turf. This project, championed by Phillip Fulmer, could make a big impact on year-round tourism opportunities and our region’s youth sports programs.
A final thanks to author and keynote speaker Cheryl Strayed, who discussed her 1,000-miles hike of the Pacific Crest Trail alone.
This year’s luncheon was presented by Verizon; Gold Sponsors: Board Safe, Massey Electric, Nyrstar, UCOR; Platinum Sponsors: Bacon and Company, Boston Government Services, Gulf & Ohio Railways, Home Federal Bank, KaTom Restaurant Supply Inc, Longnecker & Associates, Julie & Don Moul, Mountain Commerce Bank, ORAU, Planet H2O, PYA, Realty Executives, Realty Trust Group, Robin Easter Design, RSI Entech, The Trust Company of Tennessee along with many table sponsors listed on legacyparks.org.
This week
Saturday, October 22
Color Me Mutt 5K & 1 Mile Color Walk/Run: 8:30 a.m., NASCAR SpeedPark in Sevierville. Info: Endurance Sports Management. Benefits PARC Foundation providing funding to local nonprofits that train service dogs. Pet Parade will follow the award’s ceremony for the 5K. Register online.
Sunset Paddling Adventure: 7 p.m., Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center. Cost $30. Info: Knoxville Adventure Collective at 865-228-8424. Join us for an evening paddle on the Tennessee River as the sun sets behind the downtown Knoxville skyline. Register online.
Down the road
Monday, October 24
Bewitching Bats on Hallow-Week: 6 p.m., Ijams Nature Center. Cost $12. Info: Ijams Nature Center at 865-577-4717. Learn about the history, behaviors and adaptations of bats, and play some bat-themed games while out on the trail in search of these mesmerizing creatures. Register online.
Wednesday, October 26
Ozone Endurance Challenge – Oct 26-30: 9 a.m., Camp Ozone in Rockwood. Info: Life Wide Open. Runners will follow a 2.0-mile loop course through the camp and the surrounding woods around Ozone Lake and along Fall Creek with timed races for 6, 12 (both day and night flavors), 24, 36, 48, 72 and even a super-crazy-long 96 hours. Great course for beginners, walkers and runners. Register online.
Jupiter and Saturn Observation: 8 p.m., Panther Creek State Park. Cost $4. Info: Panther Creek State Park at 423-587-7046. Join Ranger Cade Norris as we attempt to spot the gas giants of our solar system. We’ll be targeting Saturn and Jupiter with binoculars and a 10-inch Dobsonian telescope at up to 180x power. Rescheduled if excessive cloud coverage. Details online
Thursday, October 27
Kayak 101 at Fort Dickerson Quarry: 6 p.m. Cost $35. Info: River Sports Outfitters at 865-523-0066. Register online.
Open Group Run/Walk: 7 p.m., Fleet Feet in Farragut. Free. Info: Fleet Feet Sports at 865-675-3338. Join us on Thursday evenings for a social run from the store to various greenway and/or neighborhoods. Details online.
Saturday, October 29
Fall Tree Walk: 10 a.m., Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum. Cost $5 for non-members. Info: Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum at 865-862-8717. Join board member Dan Steinhoff on a guided tour of KBGA’s unique & historic tree collection. Register online.
Kids Costume Climb: 10 a.m. Info: River Sports Outfitters at 865-523-0066. Kiddos can wear their costume and climb for free from 10 a.m. to noon. Register online so we know how many treat bags to prepare.
Visit us online at OutdoorKnoxville.com Add your event to our calendar: Submit an Event at https://outdoorknoxville.com/events-calendar/submit-an-event/
Carol Evans is executive director of Legacy Parks Foundation.
