District 1 News

Knoxville's Urban Wilderness Challenge

Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness Challenge -
Come Play in Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness and discover Knoxville’s great parks!

Saturday, March 20th starting at 9 a.m.

THREE GREAT WAYS TO HAVE FUN:

• The Adventure Race combines biking, rappelling, hiking, running, orienteering and a few surprises along the way in a fun, three-member team outdoor adventure in south Knoxville. Register through March 18th online at www.legacyparks.org.
• Free, guided hikes on trails never traveled by the public:
  • 11 a.m.  A one-hour, easy guided hike of the new addition to Ijams Nature Center, the Ross Marble Quarry. This 100-acre park includes lush woods, scenic overlooks and fascinating rock formations. Park and meet in Meads Quarry parking lot just east of the Ijams entrance on Island Home Avenue.
  • 1 p.m.  A one-and-a-half hour guided hike in Fort Dickerson Park, from the fort site down to the Quarry Lake and back. Local historians will unravel the unique history of the Civil War battles fought on this site and the surrounding ridges as you wind your way down to a gorgeous city lake. Park and meet in the Fort Dickerson Park Pavilion.
• Canoe Rides in the spectacular Quarry Lake at Fort Dickerson:
  • 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Chota Canoe Club will provide boats and equipment for paddlers 12 years old and older.  This is a special one-time opportunity as the Quarry is not currently open for public access. Check-in at the Overlook in Fort Dickerson Park.
    
    For more information contact Legacy Parks Foundation at 525-2585 or legacyparks.org
    
    Directions to Fort Dickerson Park:
    
    From downtown, take the Henley Street Bridge south to Chapman Highway; about three-quarters of a mile after crossing the bridge turn right onto Fort Dickerson Road, park is at the end of road.
    
    Directions to Ijams Nature Center:
    
    Take the Henley Street Bridge south to Baptist Hospital. Turn left onto Blount Avenue. Bear right onto Sevier Avenue. Follow Sevier Avenue. After passing through two traffic lights turn left onto Island Home Avenue. Follow Island Home Avenue, which turns right by the entrance to Island Home Park. Follow green directional signs to Ijams. Continue past the entrance to Ijams and Meads Quarry will be on your right.