The Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center was launched this weekend and is yet another example of how community service can be combined with fun and recreation. Legacy Parks Foundation, a Knoxville-based non-profit that focuses on expanding parks, open space and recreational opportunities, in partnership with River Sports Outfitters has opened the recreation center in the city owned Gateway Pavilion Building at Volunteer Landing.
Legacy Parks Foundation has been actively working to make East Tennessee a recreational destination of the Southeast. They created a 1,000-acre urban wilderness and recreational corridor stretching along the Tennessee River’s south shore, from the Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area to Alcoa Highway. This corridor runs parallel and connects to the greenways along the north side of the river. The main focus is to create opportunities for recreation in beautiful natural settings just minutes from downtown. When people don’t have to drive miles out of town to go hiking, boating or biking, they would be more likely to get outdoors and stay fit. With rentals, branded equipment, education classes and outdoor related events, the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center makes recreation convenient and fun for the entire family.
Another initiative of the center, Outdoor KnoxFest is a three-day event, Aug. 24 -26, that promotes a variety of outdoor recreational venues and opportunities throughout Asheville, Atlanta and Nashville and encourages people of all levels of experience to participate. The events will include all-day adventure race, bike ride, mountain bike, tail run, boat rentals, climbing wall, films and speakers.
During the past five years Legacy Parks Foundation has raised more than $3 million for parks, greenways and recreational venues, added more than 200 acres of parkland to Knox County and helped protect nearly 1,000 acres of farm and forest land in East Tennessee. For a comprehensive interactive portal to all outdoor recreational activities, venues, and events in the area, visit www.OutdoorKnoxville.com.
