Pedal your way along colorful Dogwood trails or hike through wildflowers beneath the flowering trees on two events hosted by Legacy Parks for the 2016 Dogwood Arts Festival.
Bikes & Blooms, a favorite family activity the last few years, follows Dogwood Trails through scenic neighborhoods and on local greenways. The bike rides, one touring north Knoxville and one south to Ijams Nature center, are generally about eight miles long and are led by experienced guides. Riders must wear helmets and be skilled for on-road riding. Prior to each ride, TN Valley Bikes will have a bike check at 9:30 a.m.
New for 2016 is Hikes & Blooms – featuring interesting historical sites and highlighting features and flora along the three mile hikes in beautiful park settings.
Schedule of Events
(No advance registration needed for any of these events.)
April 9 – 10 a.m. Bikes & Blooms Southbound
Leaving from TN Valley Bikes in the Old City you will ride through downtown then see the beauty of South Knoxville’s Dogwood Trails from the seat of your bicycle. Riders will enjoy views of the Tennessee River, the colorful gardens along Island Home Boulevard, and the forested greenway path to Ijams Nature Center before returning to downtown.
April 10 – 10 a.m. Bikes & Blooms Northbound
You will pass vibrant displays of dogwood trees and gardens as you depart from TN Valley Bikes in the Old City and head through 4th and Gill, Old North, and other historic neighborhoods in North Knoxville. After a stop for a refreshing drink at Three Rivers Market you will return to downtown.
April 23 – 10 a.m. Hikes & Blooms Fort Dickerson
Explore the Civil War site built by the Federal army along a forested ridge south of the Tennessee River. Authentic replica cannons, an earthen fort, and an overlook at the beautiful quarry lake highlight this hike. Dogs on leashes are welcome. Meet at the Augusta Street entrance.
April 24 – 10 a.m. Hikes & Blooms William Hastie Natural Area
Wildflowers blanket the ground along these great trails in Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness just minutes from downtown. The beautiful trails weave through the lush forest and by a pond where you might just glimpse a turtle or colorful birds. Dogs on leashes are welcome. Meet in the parking lot at the end of Margaret Road.
