Knoxville exceeds the national average of land used specifically for parks and greenspaces. Legacy Parks works proactively to facilitate projects that contribute to this dedication to the outdoors. By doing so, we demonstrate that we’re a healthy community with abundant opportunities, we’re committed to protecting our natural assets and we’re a good place to call home.
Help us continue to make our area the best place to bike, hike, paddle and play. Please donate today!
Here are seven neat events. The full schedule is at OutdoorKnoxville.com
Wednesday, January 31
Fire Ecology: Day Hike: 3 p.m., Seven Islands State Birding Park. Cost $6. Info: Seven Islands State Birding Park at 715-630-6848. Join Ranger Eric on a guided 1.6-mile hike into the world of prescribed fire and fire ecology. Register online.
Thursday, February 1
Thursday Trail Run: 6:30 p.m., Meads Quarry. Free. Info: Trail Running Crew of Ktown. Group trail run at Meads Quarry, 3.5 miles, all levels welcome. Afterwards meet up at Printshop Beer Co. Updates on Facebook.
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.
Saturday, February 3
Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon Training Run: 8 a.m., The Long Run. Info: The Long Run at 865-851-7874. We’re hosting the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon training run and then a viewing party for the Olympic Marathon trials. Three-time CHKM winner Ethan Coffey will be cooking up his famous aid station pancakes. Come for the run, the race, the discounts, the pancakes, or any of the above. Details online.
ZenEvo Hot for Chocolate 5k: 9 a.m., Worlds Fair Park. Info: Personal Best Racing at 865-567-0358. Join us as we celebrate ZenEvo Driving Energy Chocolate with a 5k run from the World’s Fair Park with a chocolatey finish. Register online.
AMBC Work Party: 9-12 p.m., Sharps Ridge Veteran Memorial Park. Free. Info: Appalachian Mountain Bike Club. Join us for our monthly work party, great way to catch up with the community while improving our awesome trails. We’ll provide tools – bring water, gloves, and safety glasses. Lunch served at noon. Check Facebook for meetup location.
Winter Woodpecker Walk: 10 a.m., Seven Islands State Birding Park. Cost $8. Info: Seven Islands State Birding Park at 715-630-6848. East TN is home to seven species of woodpeckers. We’ll hike 1.5-miles along the Hickory Ridge Trail hoping to see each of them and learn what to look for when identifying woodpeckers. We will discuss the special adaptations and behaviors that make them unique. Bring field guides and binoculars. Register online.
Carol Evans is executive director of Legacy Parks Foundation.