New Harvest Park is ready for market season

We had our crews out at New Harvest Park this week, putting down mulch and getting the splash pads ready for our next big event.

And what’s that you ask?

Well, the New Harvest Farmers’ Market kicks off its 2021 season next Thursday, April 22, at 3 p.m. and features 15 small, locally-owned businesses and a new walking program.

“Spring is here and I’m excited about the opening of the farmers’ market,” said Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, who will kick off the annual event by ringing the official bell. “This market is a great way for members of community to showcase their unique goods and special talents and for others to get outside and shop local. I can’t think of anything better.”

Nourish Knoxville, which helps us manage the market, will oversee the safe-shopping protocols.The market is free and open to the public, and will showcase a wide variety of locally-grown seasonal produce, meats, eggs, plants, prepared foods and artisan crafts. A new community booth will house the Nourish Moves walking program. Market patrons will track their steps and redeem them for Produce Bucks to be spent at market on fresh fruits and vegetables!

Nourish Knoxville will continue to offer SNAP & P-EBT processing and doubling at the market through the Double Up Food Bucks Program. SNAP & P-EBT purchases will be doubled, up to $20 per day in Double Up Food Bucks tokens that are redeemable at the market for free fresh fruits and vegetables.

Free Nourish Kids take-home activities take place on the third Thursday of the month at the New Harvest Farmers’ Market for children ages 2-12. Kids receive a unique activity, a fruit or vegetable sample, and $5 in Produce Bucks to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables at market! The New Harvest Farmers’ Market will be open every Thursday, rain or shine, through Sept. 30 from 3-6 p.m.

In other Parks and Recreation Department news, we had crews at Plumb Creek Park, working on a new fence; others mowing all that grass we have; and one group fixing water leaks at Three Ridges Golf Course, which falls under the department’s umbrella.

Our plumbers continue to work on the splash pads, since they’re opening in early May. (We will probably have a soft opening a week or so early, just to make sure everything is running correctly.)

And, our folks are back in Beaver Creek, working to clear the 44-mile Knox County Water Trail.

Oh, and we had one crew build lockable cabinets at Beverly Park because some knucklehead vandals thought it would be funny to destroy two irrigation valves. The cabinets will house the valves, which cost $150 each (not including time) to replace. Thanks a lot, jerks!

The good folks over at the Engineering and Public Works Department also have been doing remarkable work. Here’s a snapshot of some of what they did the past week:

Cedar Bluff Road – roadway repair
Ewing Road – Roadway overlay as a result of multiple utility cuts in asphalt
Pelleaux Road – New guardrail installation as a result of recent roadway departure which damaged property owner’s vehicle and house
2345 Thorn Grove Road – Repair damaged guardrail
6225 Thorn Grove Road – Repair damaged guardrail
Salem Church Road – Replace damaged cross drain culvert
Gray Road – Reestablished ditch line
Woodhollow Lane progress – Installation of new stormwater drainage pipes as a result of failing existing drainage system