Each year, Legacy Parks focuses on projects with great impact. Some projects are big and some are small, but they all encourage our community to get outside – by inspiring play at all ages, by creating access for all and by connecting people to nature.
We are looking forward to continuing our momentum in 2023 with these great projects:
- Cutting the ribbon on the new Scott Cleland Trail at West Hills Park
- Construction beginning on the French Broad Veterans Park Memorial
- Creating the Cruze Landing adaptive boat launch to enhance access for all on our waterways
- Constructing Knoxville’s first Intergenerational Playspace at Beverly Park to encourage rehabilitative exercise and multi-generational play
- Launching the Play Every Day Turf Project which will enhance our community sports fields with artificial turf
You can be a part of this meaningful work by making a gift today. These diverse projects will benefit our community now and for generations to come! Donate here.
Let’s look at January’s outdoors calendar:
Ongoing
Holidays on Ice – until Jan 2: Market Square. Info: Visit Knoxville at 865-523-7263. Enjoy skating under the stars and twinkling lights while listening to music every night on Market Square. Admission price includes entry fee, skate rental and unlimited time on ice. Details and tickets online.
Light the Park – until Jan 2: 5:30 to 10 p.m., Founders Park at Campbell Station. Free. Info: Town of Farragut at 865-218-3378. Details online.
Sunday, January 1
New Year’s Day 5K Run/Walk: 9 a.m., Tennessee Sports Medicine. Info: Knoxville Track Club. Starts at TNSM and heads out on Sutherland Ave to the greenway to finish in Safety City. Course certified. Kids run at 8:30 a.m. Register online.
New Year’s Day Hike: 9 a.m., UT Arboretum Auditorium. Free. Info: UT Arboretum at 865-483-3571. After gathering for coffee, hot chocolate and snacks we’ll go on a 45-minute guided hike to visit the Elmore Holly Collection. Details online.
Tuesday, January 3
Intermediate Group Road Ride: 10 a.m., Cycology Bicycles. Free. Info: Cycology Bicycles at 865-681-4183. Route and pace determined by the leader and group. Route length is 30-35 miles at a 15-17 MPH average pace with regrouping along the route. Limited to 10 cyclists. Register online.
The Long Run: 6 p.m., The Long Run. Info: The Long Run at 865-851-7874. Run to Tom Black Track on the UT campus. Run easy or do the track workout adjustable to your pace and comfort level. Afterwards, relax on the patio with a free local draft beer. Details online.
FCP Tuesday Night Ride: 6 p.m., Check Facebook for location. Free. Info: Fountain City Pedalers Bike Shop at 865-357-1580. Weekly ride continues all year long via bike lights…charge’em up. Routes vary each week. We will stay as a group and make plenty of stops to keep it that way. Details and weather updates online.
Wednesday, January 4
KTOS Monthly Meeting: 6:45 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.
Thursday, January 5
Open Group Run/Walk: 6:30 p.m., Fleet Feet. Free. Info: Fleet Feet Sports at 865-675-3338. Join us on Thursday evenings for a social run from the store to various greenway and/or neighborhoods. Details online.
Friday, January 6
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.
Saturday, January 7
I Just Want to Be a Unicorn Half Marathon & 5K: 8 a.m., Volunteer Landing Park. Info: Personal Best Racing at 865-567-0358. Half Marathon and 5k along the beautiful riverfront greenways and roads. Register online.
AMBC Trail Work: 9 to noon, IC King Park. Free. Info: Appalachian Mountain Bike Club. We’ll have all the tools – bring water, gloves and safety glasses. Lunch served at noon. Details online.
Sunday, January 8
Wilderness Emergency Medical Responder – Jan 8-15: 9 a.m., GSM Institute at Tremont. Info: Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont at 865-448-6709. Course ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, scout leaders, camp counselors, and any other youth or outdoor worker. Offers hands-on training for dealing with bites, burns and other injuries. Register online.
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.