Randy Burleson, owner of Aubrey’s Restaurants, doesn’t live in Powell but he may have to move there.

He was at Powell High Landing (Brickyard Road behind Powell High School) on Monday with Mayor Glenn Jacobs and others to announce a major gift to the Knox County Water Trail project, promoted by Jacobs and the Legacy Parks Foundation.

Burleson had a traditional “big check,” but it simply read “One Adaptive Dock.”

He opted not to advertise the amount of his donation, but called it a gift to the Powell community “which means so much to Aubrey’s.” The restaurant chain is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Current Dock/Put-In at Powell High Landing.

It was Aubrey’s second donation to Legacy Parks Foundation to benefit adaptive bike and water trails.

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs declared it “Randy Burleson Day” and said the first restaurant was opened on Feb. 24, 1992. “Now there are 15 Aubrey’s restaurants with 1,000 employees in Knox County and 1,500 in East Tennessee.”

Jacobs mentioned he was the float master for the Beaver Creek Flotilla. The fifth flotilla is planned for Saturday, May 14, as a stand-alone event to celebrate the water trail. Jacobs said Knox County’s investment in Beaver Creek will “improve water quality, mitigate flooding and enhance the health of those who use it.”

When completed, the trail will start at Clayton Park in Halls and end at Melton Hill Lake – a total of 44 miles that will take about 14 hours to paddle. Obviously, most folks will not paddle the full length. So, the county has identified 11 put-in points which will require docks and parking.

Joe Mack, senior director of Parks and Recreation, expressed excitement about the project. His department maintains the water trail, removing debris like fallen trees.

Burleson had his “one and only” daughter, Aubrey Jaye, with him. In brief remarks he said the adaptive dock will make a statement nationwide – that Knox County is inclusive and wants everyone to be able to enjoy the area’s natural beauty. And he said the water trail will only get better over time for his daughter’s generation to enjoy.

Carol Evans spills the beans

Afterwards, we caught up with Carol Evans, executive director of Legacy Parks Foundation. She said a fully adaptive dock typically costs $55,000. The existing dock at Powell High Landing will remain, but the center slide will be removed and replaced with a section that floats with the water level.

Carol Evans

And the big question – how can you have just one handicap-accessible dock? People have to be able to get out of the creek. Evans said she didn’t want to steal anyone’s thunder, but Knox County will be reworking the dock at Roy Arthur Stormwater Park (Harrell Road in the Karns area). She said work will start soon and both will be completed by the May 14 flotilla.

The Beaver Creek Kayak Club is the real leader of the water trail, Evans said. “They are our partners and we’re getting the creek cleaned up in bite-sized portions.” Logan Austin of the BCKC posted this livestream of the ceremony.

Sandra Clark is editor/CEO of Knox TN Today.