Today (9/29/23) is our annual Legacy Luncheon for the Parks. It’s our primary fund-raiser and we appreciate musician Chuck Leavell coming to be with us. We will be at Seven Islands State Birding Park a special place.
The lands comprising the park were acquired in 2002 as a wildlife refuge through a cooperative effort of the Seven Islands Foundation, a non-profit land conservancy, and Knox County Parks and Recreation. The Seven Island Foundation wanted to preserve this property as a wildlife sanctuary and refuge. Seven Islands became the 56th Tennessee State Park in July 2013. The state now manages this state park for native flora and fauna and low impact, non-consumptive, outdoor activities for the enjoyment of the wildlife diversity and natural beauty of Seven Islands.
Meanwhile, here are 12 interesting events to get us outdoors:
Sunday Oct. 1
Race for the Summitt 5K: 9 a.m., Tyson Park. The 10th annual Knoxville race benefits The Pat Summitt Foundation to promote education and research for Alzheimer’s disease. Register online.
Wednesday, October 4
Suttree Social Paddle: 6 p.m. Info: River Sports Outfitters at 865-523-0066. Join us on Thursday evenings for a paddle downtown. Free if you bring your own kayak or rent one from us for $15. Register online.
KTOS (Bird Club) monthly meeting: 6:45 p.m., UT Gardens South Greenhouse, Room 124. Meetings held first Wednesday of the month. All visitors welcome. Details on our website.
Thursday, October 5
Guided Hike: 10 a.m. OR 6 p.m., Holston River Park. Free. Meet at the Trailhead at 10 a.m. OR 6 p.m. for a guided hike with the city of Knoxville Parks & Rec staff. Details online or call 865-215-1700.
North Knox Community Cleanup: 11:30-1:30 p.m., Edgewood Park. Help us clean up the Edgewood Park, Fairmont/Emoriland, Whittle Springs, Belle Morris neighborhood. Safety vests, trash bags, gloves and litter pickers will be provided. Info: Verena at vhadden@knoxvilletn.gov
North Knox Beer Runners: 6 p.m., Central Flats and Taps. Free. Info: North Knox Beer Runners. Fun and easy run through North Knox and Happy Holler. Don’t forget lights and reflective gear.
Friday, October 6
Ghost House Hike: 7:30 p.m., Big Ridge State Park. Cost $5. Info: Big Ridge State Park at 865-992-5523. On our 1-mile hike along the Ghost House trail one of our rangers will share tales of hauntings at the park. We’ll tour the Norton Grist Mill, Norton Cemetery and the remnants of an old homestead. Register online.
Saturday, October 7
AMBC Work Party: 9 a.m. to noon, Baker Creek Preserve. Info: Appalachian Mountain Bike Club. Join us for our monthly work party, great way to catch up with the community while improving our awesome trails. We’ll provide tools – bring water, gloves, and safety glasses. Lunch served at noon with drinks and beers. Details online.
Fall Adopt a Stream/Adopt a Road Cleanup: 9 a.m. to noon, Roy Arthur Stormwater Park. Info: Beaver Creek Kayak Club. We will clean Harrell Road from Oak Ridge Hwy to Emory Rd, Roy Arthur Stormwater Park and the stream banks of Beaver Creek. Details online.
Sturgeonfest: 10-2, Seven Islands State Birding Park. Free. Info: Seven Islands State Birding Park at 715-630-6848. You will have the opportunity to release a baby sturgeon into the French Broad River. There will be vendors, exhibitors and more. Register online.
Pellissippi Blueway Paddle Trip: 10 a.m., Melton Lake Park. Free. Info: TN Citizens for Wilderness Planning at 865-583-3967. Join us for a paddle on a section of the newly christened Pellissippi Blueway. We’ll make a loop up and down the river, exploring interesting places and picking up trash along the way. Details online.
3rd annual BCKC No-Yak: 6 p.m., Roy Arthur Stormwater Park. Info: Beaver Creek Kayak Club. No-Yak is our end of the season group get together. No-Yak is our chance to recap the paddling season and talk about what’s coming next, for the club and the creek. Our friends at Creekside will be cooking food and special drinks along with games and fun along the way. Help us at the cleanup in the morning then finish the evening with a special cocktail by the fire pits. Details on Facebook
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. Find dozens of outdoors events at outdoorknoxville.com