Big Rock Pass trail connection opens
Legacy Parks Foundation cut the ribbon to open the newest trail connection within Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness. The new .3 mile trail runs along Blount Avenue and directly connects Mary Vestal Park to Fort Dickerson Park at the lower Augusta Quarry entrance. A portion of the trail passes through private property owned by Bobby Smelcer that is now under easement held by Legacy Parks Foundation. Smelcer’s plans for the property include the opening of Quarry Trails Campground and RV Park - urban camping sites coming in Spring 2022. Legacy Parks partnered with Contour Trail Design and City of Knoxville crews to create the trail. The Appalachian Mountain Bike Club provided funding for a portion of the trail located on city property. “Parks and trails are an important part of a community. When parks and neighborhoods are connected by safe walking and biking routes, it allows all members of the community [...]
Another trail for Sharp’s Ridge
Legacy Parks Foundation opened the newest trail at Sharp’s Ridge Memorial Park, funded by a grant from the Trinity Health Foundation. This new trail completes the Sharp’s Ridge Playspace project which opened November 2020 and features a playground, bike skills area and our region’s first adaptive trails – specifically designed to accommodate users with disabilities. The new 1.1-mile trail bends around the west side of the ridge to connect the adaptive trails – Independence and the North Loop Trail - on the north side with the existing 4.7 miles of multi-use trails on the south side. This trail addition provides direct access from the neighborhoods on the north side to the city park, where there was previously no entry point. Legacy Parks was awarded a two-phase grant from the Trinity Health Foundation of East Tennessee which funded the research, planning and construction of the Sharp’s Ridge Playspace and adaptive [...]
Legacy Luncheon set for October
Legacy Parks Foundation announced today that they will host their annual Legacy Luncheon for the Parks on Friday, October 8th at 11:30am along the beautiful Tennessee River at UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm. Guest speakers Justin Skeesuck and Patrick Gray will share their incredible story of friendship, hope, faith, and community discovered on their 500-mile trek in Spain on the Camino de Santiago trail –500 miles, two best friends and one wheelchair. Luncheon guests will hear the firsthand stories from their best-selling book and award-winning documentary “I’ll Push You”. Legacy Parks continues its streak of bringing national speakers to the luncheon including David McClain, Pete McBride, Cheryl Strayed, Alexandra Cousteau, Rick Ridgeway, Peter Hillary, Howard Baker, Pat Summitt, Erik Weihenmayer, Governor Haslam, and more. 1,000 civic, business, and community leaders have attended the Legacy Luncheon for the Parks the last three years, selling out each event. This year’s [...]
Siddiqi Foundation awards grant for adaptive bikes
Legacy Parks Foundation was awarded a $20,000 grant from the Siddiqi Foundation to fund the purchase of two new adaptive wheelchairs. In 2020, Legacy Parks constructed the region's first adaptive trail at Sharp's Ridge and purchased five adaptive bikes. Creating adaptive access for those with mobility disabilities is a priority - we believe everyone should be able to experience the benefits of being in nature and enjoy recreational opportunities in the woods! The handcycle bikes that will be purchased with this grant allow individuals with higher level injuries - who do not have grip strength to hold onto a crank or squeeze a brake - to access these functions with whatever use of their arms that they do have. The height of this bike compared to others, makes transfers from a power chair much easier and safer. They also feature electric assist which allows the user to propel the bike forward on their own merit and [...]