Knox County announces new Halloween event

We’ve got some big holiday news in the coming weeks. I’m trying to iron out the details now. But the Knox County Parks and Recreation Department plans to hold its first-ever (and what it hopes to do annually) Trunk or Treat event at John Tarleton Park from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature lawn games with prizes. There also will be dozens of cars – many classics and hot rods – on hand and children can “trunk or treat” at them. Costumes are encouraged but not required.

Also – and can you believe it but we’re only months away from Christmas – but we’re in the early stages of putting together the annual Holiday Festival of Lights at The Cove at Concord Park. This year’s event will run from Dec. 1 through Jan. 2. It will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but we’ll turn the lights on just in case folks want to take a stroll through the park.

In other news, the bathroom vandalism has slowed down, but we did have some knuckleheads steal park signs, including one at Plumb Creek Park. Some loser ripped the sign out of the ground and then chunked it into the nearby grass. We got it back in place, though. Our one-man machine Frank Christian was out there again this week. Here’s his emailed update:

“Mostly installed new signs and ordered signs for parks. Moved the Cove sign to the new entrance area, made a note to folks that no personal property should be left in the dog parks at Concord and will move on to the others later in the week. There’s a new Concord Park/Fishing Pier sign up with new park entrance signs set for Guinn, Clayton and Corryton parks. After that I’ll be mowing and going!”

Frank also repainted tables at Melton Hill Park and some tables and shelter poles at Hickory Creek Park.

Our carpenters were at Bower Park in South Knox County getting buildings ready to paint and working on the roof to the restrooms. Prior to that, they spent some time at Farragut Park installing new concrete pads for memorial benches. Our Concord Park crew installed new posts and cable at The Cove, Rocky Point and the Skatepark. They also changed the lights for Farragut baseball at field one and the concession stands and restroom areas.

Speaking of the Skatepark, a big shoutout to some local volunteers who helped paint over graffiti: Trent and Kate Thurman, Dugan, Brad Hurst and Paige Smith for volunteering their time.

This was in conjunction with our Adopt-A-Park program in which sponsors help our crews maintain the parks. It’s a great opportunity for businesses, community groups and families to lend a hand in the preservation and beautification of our parkland. It also helps educate the public about the importance of providing clean and safe parkland and trails for all to enjoy.

On our recreation side, folks are still playing football and softball but mostly rained out this week.

Enjoy some photos from this week’s work: