Legacy Parks was proud to provide Visit Knoxville with our list of Knoxville’s Top 5 Hikes for Springtime.
Available at this link, we go into detail about what to expect at each site and include these five recommendations:
- Birding at Sharp’s Ridge
- Baxter Gardens
- Wildflowers at William Hastie Natural Area
- Sequoyah Greenway, and
- Hike House Mountain
Augusta Quarry is closed
Work began this week to install electric, water and sanitary sewer connections at Augusta Quarry at Fort Dickerson Park. The city Parks & Recreation Department is coordinating this project.
Trails will remain open and parking is available using the Chapman Highway entrance to the park.
Access to the quarry itself is closed. The project is expected to be completed in fall 2023.
Now let’s look at a sampling of some area events ahead:
Saturday, March 25
Volunteer Workday: 9 a.m. Info: Seven Islands State Birding Park at 715-630-6848. Meet Ranger Stephanie to clean up litter on the trails and shorelines. Trash bags, nitrile gloves and some litter tongs/grabbers available. Register online.
Adopt a Stream/Road Cleanup: 9 a.m., Roy Arthur /Harrell Road Stormwater Park. Info: Beaver Creek Kayak Club. We will clean Harrell Road from Oak Ridge Hwy to Emory Road, Roy Arthur Stormwater Park and the stream banks of Beaver Creek. Details online.
Sunday, March 26
Annual Wildflower Hikes: 10 a.m., River Bluff Small Wild Area. Free. Info: Norris Dam State Park at 865-426-7461. Register online.
An Afternoon of Ijams History with Paul James: 2 p.m. Cost $5. Info: Ijams Nature Center at 865-577-4717. Join former Ijams director Paul James for a look back on the history of the Ijams family, a family like no other. Register online.
Monday, March 27
Monday Disc Golf: 6 p.m., Inskip Park. Free. Info: City of Knoxville Parks & Rec at 865-215-1700. Join us on Mondays for disc golf games. All levels welcome. Details online.
AMBC Monthly Meeting: 7 p.m. Southside Garage. Free. Info: Appalachian Mountain Bike Club. We’ll discuss trail conditions, trail building progress, fundraising, local races and events, partner efforts in outdoor recreation and so much more. Everyone welcome! Details online.
Tuesday, March 28
SlowKno Tuesday Run: 6:30 p.m., Suttree Landing Park. Free. Info: Slowkno Running Club. Weekly runs and training exercises. All levels. Park has lights. Join group on Facebook for updates.
Wednesday, March 29
KTC Group Run: 6 p.m., Runners Market. Free. Info: Knoxville Track Club. Wednesday evening social pace group run. All paces welcome. Distance options vary. Please abide by social distancing guidelines.
Thursday, March 30
West Bikes Shop Ride: 6 p.m., West Bicycles. Free. Info: West Bicycles at 865-671-7591. Join us for our shop group rides. Rides are weather dependent. We ride if it’s at least 50° and dry. Details online.
Saturday, April 1
Birding Basics Hike: 8 a.m., Seven Islands State Birding Park. Cost $6. Info: Seven Islands State Birding Park at 715-630-6848. Hike 2.5 miles and learn the basics of birding, including tips for identification, bird songs and the best tools and resources for beginning birders. Open to birders of all ages. Register online.
1st Saturday Paddle: 10 a.m., Big South Fork NRRA. Info: Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association. Every 1st Saturday you will find us paddling a whitewater river or creek somewhere in TN. We’ll keep it on natural flow as much as possible. Expect Class II through Class IV. Details and registration online.
Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon – April 1-2: 5:30 p.m. Worlds Fair Park. Info: Knoxville Track Club. Friday night features the 5K and Covenant Kids Run. We will offer an in-person race experience and a Virtual Option. Details and registration online.
Sunday, April 2
Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon – April 1-2: 7:27 a.m., Worlds Fair Park. Info: Knoxville Track Club. Something for everyone: Marathon, Half Marathon, 2 Person Relay and 4-Person Relay. We will offer an in-person race experience and a Virtual Option. Details and registration online
Visit us online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
Add your event to our calendar: Submit an event here.
Carol Evans is executive director of Legacy Parks Foundation.