The work of dozens of volunteers has been rewarded. Collier Preserve in Powell is now an official state arboretum. Those involved will gather at Collier Preserve, along with members of the Collier family at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, to celebrate. The Preserve is at 330 W. Emory Road, adjacent to the Powell Branch Library.
It was developed by Legacy Parks Foundation after a gift from Dr. Bob and Louise Collier. Carol Evans, executive director of Legacy Parks, quickly assembled volunteers who began planting native species and enough plant variety to achieve the arboretum designation.
Volunteers were from Trees Knoxville, UT Master Gardeners, TVA Retirees Association, Foothills Land Conservancy staff and state of Tennessee arborists.
Evans said it will be named the Bob and Louise Collier Arboretum at Collier Preserve.
The goal of the state’s arboretum certification program is to develop a network of arboreta across Tennessee that are well-maintained, open to the public and proactively utilized for experiential education about trees and the important role they play in communities.
Collier Preserve was created on land donated by the Collier family to Legacy Parks Foundation with support from multiple organizations and a grant from the Tennessee Recreational Trails program.
The Preserve has two springs and access to Beaver Creek. It was designed to be accessible to all and includes a circular trail, an information kiosk, several benches and a council circle.
It is maintained by Knox County Parks & Recreation and operates with department rules and hours. The land was the Moore family farm and was actively farmed by Bob Collier’s grandmother, Stella Moore Collier.