Legacy Parks Foundation and the city of Knoxville opened the Scott Cleland trail at West Hills Park on October 26, 2023, adding a one-mile, natural surface trail to the existing two miles of greenways in the city park.
The new trail honors Scott Cleland, brother of Nancy Cleland, the donor who made the trail possible. Nancy bequeathed her property adjacent to West Hills Park to Legacy Parks Foundation to support the mission of the non-profit and to honor her brother.
Nancy was most known for the miniature ponies she raised on her land on Vanosdale Road. Legacy Parks gave four acres of donated land to the city of Knoxville to help accommodate the new trail. Plans are to surface the trail with compacted stone and build an introductory bike skills area across the greenway from the trail early next year.
We’re grateful that Nancy allowed us the create another amenity in an already great city park. Natural surface trails are easy on the joints, provide both solitude and adventure and expand the options for ways in which everyone can enjoy the outdoors.
Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon also thanked the Cleland family for donating the land to make the new trail possible. She said the city has invested more than $200,000 in park improvements at West Hills Park. “It was another great collaboration with Legacy Parks Foundation and what a beautiful ribbon-cutting in Knoxville.”
The city worked with the West Hills Community Association in their efforts to build an information kiosk using partial funds from the Parks and Recreation Challenge grant. The city also resurfaced the basketball court, six pickleball courts and 11 tennis courts.
Earlier this month, a toddler playground was installed on the other side of the park from the trail.
Vice Mayor Andrew Roberto posted: “Knoxville is on the move! … The new hiking trail in West Hills Park … is an amenity that improves our quality of life.”
But now, let’s seize the moment to Get Out and Play!
Saturday, October 28
Creepy Creatures Trick-or-Treating: Various start times from 3- 5:30 p.m. Seven Islands State Birding Park at 715-630-6848. Cost $10/child. We’ll hike 1-mile down Kelly Lane while trick-or-treating at several stops. Along the way, meet some of the Creepy Creatures that live at Seven Islands. We’ll enjoy storytelling, games and a bonfire. Flashlights recommended. Register online.
Pilot CrossKnox 15K: 8 a.m., Morningside Park. Info: Knoxville Track Club. Course is a point-to-point race run almost entirely on Knoxville’s Greenways, starting at Morningside Park and finishing at Bearden Elementary. Register online.
3rd annual Fun Run & Roll: 9 a.m., The Cove at Concord Park. Info: SPARK at 865-219-0130. Choose between the 5K greenway run/walk or the 2-mile roll/walk on paved greenway. Yummy snacks and drinks, goody bags, good camaraderie and good karma waiting for you. Register online.
Sunday, October 29
Guided Costume Paddle: 11 a.m., Gov Ned McWherter Park. Free. Info: City of Knoxville Parks & Rec at 865-215-1700. Paddle from McWherter Park to Sequoyah Hills Park. Costumes Encouraged. Drop kayak, canoe or SUP off at Gov. Ned McWherter Park, then drive to Sequoyah Hills to park. Shuttle provided from Sequoyah Hills and departs at 10:25 a.m. Boat rentals $15. Register online.
Wednesday, November 1
KTOS Monthly Meeting: 7 p.m., UT Gardens South Greenhouse, Room 124. Free. Info: Knoxville Chapter TN Ornithological Society. Meetings held first Wednesday of the month. All visitors welcome. Details on our website.
Friday-Sunday, November 3-5
AMBC Fall Festival – Nov 3-5: Baker Creek Preserve. Free. Info: Appalachian Mountain Bike Club. 14th annual AMBC Fall Fest will open up Friday evening and won’t slow till we pack it all up on Sunday afternoon. Free. Details, rides, and schedule online.
Saturday, November 4
Collier Preserve Weed Wrangle: 9-11 a.m., Collier Preserve, Emory Road in Powell. Info: Knox County Master Gardeners. Join us for a workday focused on clearing out weeds. Learn useful weeding tips and how to use some specialized tools to make a big job easier. Details online.
Sunday, November 5
Race Against Cancer: 3 p.m., World’s Fair Park. Info: Thompson Cancer Survival Center Foundation at 865-531-5210. The Race Against Cancer is a walk and run that raises funds for the patients and families of Thompson Cancer Survival Center. Register online.
Visit us online at OutdoorKnoxville.com Submit an event here.
Carol Evans is executive director of Legacy Parks Foundation. Find dozens of outdoors events at outdoorknoxville.com