Through a generous gift from the late Catherine Gilreath M.D., Legacy Parks was able to double donations to the Angora Frog Farm in late August. We got amazing support and secured two more play structures ($10,000 each) which will be announced soon.
As you recall, we already have four play structures funded through donations by Laura and Larry Bailey of the Bailey Group, Realty Executives; DeRoyal Industries in recognition of the company’s 50th anniversary; Mynatt Funeral Home, in memory of longtime employee/partner Ronald Hill; and East Tennessee Pediatric Dentistry, because Dr. Jessica Phillips is all about kids.
Raising money is hard. But building new parks is so exciting.
So, here’s the plan. Legacy Parks will extend the Gilreath grant – doubling any donation up to $5,000 for the Angora Frog Farm – through Friday, September 15, 2023. Let’s dig deep to fund at least two more play structures. Please call me at 865-525-2585 to discuss donor levels and playground structures available.
When she gave us the gift, Dr. Gilreath said, “Now don’t spend this on overhead.” She would absolutely approve of our matching gifts to build the Angora Frog Farm in Powell. Let’s get it done.
Meanwhile, here are five interesting events to get us outdoors:
Wednesday, September 6
Cycling Cades Cove Loop: Sunrise to Sunset. Cades Cove. Info: Great Smoky Mountains National Park at 865-436-7318. Enjoy the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road on vehicle-free Wednesdays. Details and map online.
Thursday, September 7
Seven Islands Birding State Park Float: 12:30 p.m., Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center. Info: Knoxville Adventure Collective at 865-228-8424. The French Broad River. Put in at Seven Island State Birding Park and take out at Cruze Landing, it is the perfect stretch for beginner kayakers. It’s 5 miles with a combination of flatwater and easy shoals. Sunday and Thursday. Register online.
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.
Friday, September 8
Mountain Commerce Challenge: 9 a.m., Sharps Ridge Park. Cost: Free for Friends of Legacy Parks or $10 per event for others. Info: Legacy Parks Foundation at 865-525-2585. Missy Kane will be the guide for a year of adventure. Come hike, bike, and/or paddle 75 miles this year. Discover new places, socialize with fun folks, have fun, and get fit.
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.
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.