M Focus on: Parks & Environmental Services
Knoxville prioritizes recreation and equitable infrastructure By BETH ANNE BRINK-COX | The Municipal
2020 and 2021 could be called “the years of the bicycle” for many reasons. What does that mean? Sheryl Ely, with Knoxville, Tenn., Parks and Recreations, is known for her philosophy of moving neighbors to nature. She said, “The city of Knoxville has many opportunities for bikers, over 54 miles of paved greenway and over 60 miles of soft surface trails. These are open to pedestrian and bike travel. Several of our linear greenways created transportation for traveling to work.” Ely said, “COF partnered with a nonprofit group, The Legacy Parks Foundation, to open an adaptive trail at Sharp’s Ridge Veterans Memorial Park. LPF provided adaptive bikes and wheelchairs for public use on these trails. COF, in partnership with other partners, created mountain bike trails, a bike park with pump tracks, ramps,
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playground and a greenway at Baker Creek Preserve, part of the Urban Wilderness.” Urban Wilderness has more than 50 miles of trails and greenways, lakes and quarries, five city parks and a 500-acre wildlife area. Sharp’s Ridge Veterans Memorial Park has one of the best views in the city to see the Smoky Mountains. There is a scenic overlook platform with signage identifying each
ABOVE: Fort Dickerson Park offers a scenic view of Augusta Quarry. The park has 4 miles of multi-use natural trails, which wind through the woodlands from the top of the quarry cliffs to the pool below. (Photo provided by Knoxville, Tenn.)
mountain peak. Sharp’s Ridge is home to many songbirds, and birdwatchers often frequent the park to view them. The Knoxville Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society holds many group hikes at Sharp’s Ridge for the pleasure of bird-watching. Ely continued, “We are currently working on a greenway addition at a new destination — Gateway Park — which will have additional amenities and a connection to downtown. The pandemic increased efforts to utilize parks and greenways. We saw an increase in workout groups, some of which became businesses when jobs were lost.
