Angora Frog Farm, the 12-acre woodland on Brickyard Road in Powell, has seen a recent flurry of volunteers. The layout has been confirmed and the play structures ordered. We’re meeting with author/illustrator Daniel Wiseman on January 11 to finalize the story to match the play structures. Also next week, we’ll bring in someone with a chipper to clean out some of the debris from the structure sites.
Arvin Brown is monitoring our progress through his kitchen window. Arvin and his wife, the late Sabra Brown, donated the land for the park.
I expect the play structures in by late March and the grand opening in April. We will have five signature structures with 13 stops along the trail. The remaining eight stops will range from a flagstone walkway to a kid-sized creek for splashing to a yoga rock to a traditional see-saw. All structures will be of natural material for that non-plastic look.
Thanks to the TVA retirees who are building benches and perhaps a picnic table for the park. Several others came out to clear and level the play structure sites. The park is really starting to take shape. And it’s not too late to contribute. Donate online, mail to Legacy Parks Foundation, 900 Volunteer Landing Ln, Knoxville, TN 37915 or call us at 865-525-2585 and we’ll hop right over to pick up your check.
Here are a few other neat events. The full schedule is at OutdoorKnoxville.com
Saturday, January 6
I Just Want to Be a Unicorn Half Marathon and 5k: 8 a.m., Volunteer Landing Park. Info: Personal Best Racing at 865-567-0358. Course runs along the beautiful riverfront greenways and roads. Half Marathon begins at 8 a.m. and the 5K at 8:15 a.m. Register online.
Volunteer Workday: 9 a.m. to noon. Seven Islands State Birding Park. Free. Info: Seven Islands State Birding Park at 715-630-6848. Volunteers will help with planting shrubs and other vegetation along the riverbank as part of our erosion control project. Bring shovels and work gloves. Some shovels and gloves will be available. Register online.
AMBC Workday: 9 a.m. to noon. I C King Park. Free. Info: Appalachian Mountain Bike Club. Come help us build trails! Bring your gloves, water, and eye protection. We’ll provide tools and lunch. Details online.
Sunday, January 7
Sunday Movie Nights: 6 p.m., Onsight Rock Gym. Info: Onsight Rock Gym at 865-888-9123. We’ll be showing the classic climbing film – Valley Uprising. Experienced climbers, come prepared to school the new generation of climbers. Bring a chair, a drink and your favorite dish for our potluck dinner. Details online.
Monday, January 8
Flying Pints Fun Run: 6:30 p.m., Alliance Brewing Company. Free. 865 Running. Social pace 3’ish mile run in South Knoxville, come back for $1 off on beers. All levels are welcome.
Tuesday, January 9
Harvey Broome Group monthly meeting: 7 p.m. TN Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. Free. Info: Harvey Broom Sierra Club. Meets the second Tuesday of each month and is open to the public. This month’s program is Tennessee Riverline: North America’s Next Great Regional Trail by Lila Honaker. We’ll explore how recreation, stewardship and land use come together to inspire new thinking amongst its many generations of committed stewards. Details online.
Thursday, January 11
Appalachian Bear Rescue and Winter Hike Gems: 5:30 p.m., Little River Trading Company. Free. Info: Little River Trading Co at 865-681-4141. Learn all about Appalachian Bear Rescue and the important role it plays in our outdoor community. Discussion will also cover some winter hike gems you will want to add to your 2024 must-do’s. Details online.
Friday, January 12
Family Owl Prowl: 6 p.m., Ijams Nature Center. Cost $15. Info: Ijams Nature Center at 865-577-4717. Learn about unique owl adaptations that help these birds rule the night. We’ll go out in search of Barred, Eastern Screech and Great Horned owls, all while practicing their calls and putting our own senses to the ultimate nocturnal test. Register online.
Downtown Fun Run: 6:30 p.m., Pour Taproom. Free. Info: 865 Running. Join us every Friday for a 3-mile social run through downtown, World’s Fair Park, and the river walk. Afterwards drinks with 10% off. All levels.
Carol Evans is executive director of Legacy Parks Foundation. Find dozens of outdoors events at outdoorknoxville.com