Knox County’s newest dog park has opened in Karns. It’s located at the SportsPark, 8050 Oak Ridge Highway. Most dogs already have sniffed it out.

The park is one of 10 – five in the city and five outside the city – funded by a $250,000 grant from the Boyd Family Foundation. UT President Randy Boyd represented his family at the opening.

Knox County appropriated $150,000 to finish out the five county dog parks (three are in with two to go).

Mayor Glenn Jacobs said, “Providing more high-quality outdoor spaces is always a win for our community. We’re grateful for partners like Randy Boyd who share our vision and help us expand opportunities for residents and their pets.”

The new dog park features separate play areas for large and small dogs, seating for owners, water stations, natural elements, and fencing and surfacing. “We’re proud of this space, and we know it’s going to be well-loved for years to come,” said Joseph Mack, senior director of Parks & Rec.

The SportsPark, launched by the late Tommy Schumpert when he was county mayor, also features playgrounds, walking trails and athletic fields. Sharing parking is the Karns Senior Center.

Mike Donila contributed information and quotes for this report.

United Methodists urge tree planting

Jan Berry

Jan Berry, chair of the Holston Conference Creation Care Team, is urging conference members and others to purchase trees during the Tennessee Environmental Council’s tree distribution day on March 21. Reserve trees by March 8 here.

Berry, a retired chemical engineer and a former project manager at Oak Ridge National Labs, is all in for trees.

What is this event?
Organized by Tennessee Environmental Council, this annual event offers low-cost native seedlings ($2.99 – $4.99/ each) to Tennessee residents to plant at their homes and farms across all 95 Tennessee counties.

Species available: Varieties include Baldcypress, Bur oak, Eastern redbud, Eastern white pine, Elderberry, Northern red oak, Pecan, Persimmon, River birch, and Smooth sumac.

The website tectn.org/tennesseetreeday includes pictures and descriptions of the available tree species, video instructions for planting the seedlings, and helpful information on caring for these young trees for the first few years.

Two-Time Olympian to speak at Knoxville Marathon Health & Fitness Expo

Kara Goucher

 Kara Goucher, an American long-distance runner, author and two-time Olympian, will be the featured speaker for the Health & Fitness Expo, part of the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon weekend on April 11-12, 2026.

Goucher was the 10,000-meter silver medalist at the 2007 World Championship in Athletics and represented Team USA at the Olympics in Beijing in 2008 and in London in 2012. She made her marathon debut in 2008 and finished third at the Boston Marathon the following year.

Since retiring from professional competitive running, Goucher has worked as an author, race analyst and podcaster. She and runner Des Linden discuss a wide range of running topics on their podcast, “Nobody Asked Us.” Goucher also co-wrote a book released in 2023 titled, “The Longest Race: Inside the Secret World of Abuse, Doping and Deception on Nike’s Elite Running Team.”

“We are thrilled to have an elite runner like Goucher offer her invaluable insight to our athletes and attendees,” said Jason Altman, race director of the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon.

Goucher will deliver her motivational speech at the World’s Fair Exhibition Hall on Saturday, April 11, at 1 p.m. The Health & Fitness Expo, located at 935 World’s Fair Park Drive, is a pre-race celebration featuring exhibitors focused on fitness, sports, wellness and nutrition. The expo is free, open to the public and will be held from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon weekend includes several events such as a marathon, half marathon, four-person relay, 5K and the Covenant Health Kids Run. All race participants must attend the Health & Fitness Expo on Saturday, April 11, to pick up race packets. Registration is open now, with early sign-ups offering discounted rates.

Info and registration: knoxvillemarathon.com.

Notes and Quotes

Outdoor Knoxville, a calendar produced by Legacy Parks Foundation, has a comprehensive list of upcoming local outdoor events. Find it here.

Beaver Creek Flotilla, the ninth annual, will be Saturday, May 30, 2026. Save the date. It’s the most fun you’ll have on the creek. Info here.

Quote: Exuberant Spirit of God, bursting with the brightness of flame / into the coldness of our lives / to warm us with a passion for justice and beauty, we praise you. – Jan Berry, creation care committee chair, Holston Conference United Methodists.

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