Effort Launched to Save River Bluff
Two key parcels within the Urban Wilderness and Historic Corridor are under contract to purchase and the clock is ticking to raise $2.5 million needed to secure the land.
The River Bluff Wildlife Area, slated for condominium development as the third phase of the Woodlands development on Cherokee Trail, is a 70-acre parcel that will protect the most significant green space and bluff across the river from downtown Knoxville. Once purchased and protected, it will become a city wildlife area with walking trails, two ponds and river access within a lush forest.
The Fort Stanley Ridge, which provides the green backdrop along the south waterfront, was also slated for development. This 17-acre parcel contains the third of three contiguous civil war forts within the Corridor.
The Urban Wilderness and Historic Corridor is a $6 million initiative to create a 1,000 acre Urban Wilderness and Historic Corridor paralleling the South Knoxville Waterfront Development in the heart of Knoxville. It will contain three civil war forts, historic settlement sites, and diverse ecological features and recreational amenities and be connected by a system of greenways and natural trails. The Knoxville Urban Wilderness and Historic Corridor would be comprised of:
- 1. Ijams Nature Center and the TWRA Wildlife Management Area anchoring the east end with a combined 800 acres.
- 2. River Bluff Wildlife Area, a 70 acre tract originally slated for condominium development that has recently returned to the market. This property is significant as the most expansive view of greenspace and the ridgetop from the city side of the river. Development of this parcel would forever change the character of downtown Knoxville and the south waterfront.
- 3. The Log Haven Conservation Area, a 95-acre tract recently purchased by the Aslan Foundation. This property contains the majority of Fort Higley, a Civil War battle site, additional historical significance and artifacts, an abundance of mature hardwoods and native species, and five log cabins.
- 3. Fort Higley, a seven-acre parcel adjacent to the Log Haven property where a critical portion of the fort is located.
- 5. Fort Dickerson Park, an existing city park and historic site, easily linked to Fort Stanley and Fort Higley to create the opportunity to travel among the sites for an exceptional historic experience.
The Corridor could include ten additional city parks including Mary Myers Park, William Hastie Natural Area, Mary Vestal Park and Stanley Lippencott Ridge Park.
The campaign will launch with the acquisition of the Fort Stanley Ridge and Fort Higley properties. Additional properties are being considered for purchase.
“This project is exciting for the Foundation because of the multiple benefits for Knoxville,” Tommy Schumpert, Legacy Parks Foundation Board Chair said. “This corridor with help protect the scenic ridgetop views that define Knoxville. It will contribute to the overall health of our air and water. It will provide new recreational options. The three contiguous Civil War sites will help ignite heritage tourism, a priority for our entire state, and the overall Corridor will be an economic boost for South Knoxville and the waterfront development.”
The opportunity to create the Urban Wilderness and Historic Corridor became possible with the purchase of the 95-acre tract Log Haven property by the Aslan Foundation. This parcel can anchor the west end of the Corridor and will be included if the other properties are assembled.
Long-term management of the Corridor has yet to be determined, but those involved in the project envision a collaboration of several interested organizations. “There are great management models in Ijams Nature Center, Knoxville Zoo and Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge, in which the city or county own the property and work with organizations for programming and management,” Carol Evans, Legacy Parks Foundation Executive Director explained. “Our initial focus is to assemble and preserve the key properties and then help develop the plan for long-term stewardship.”
You may contribute to the Urban Corridor initiative online or by contact Carol Evans at 865.525.2585 or cevans@legacyparks.org
Bluff Mountain Protected
510 acres atop Sevier County’s Bluff Mountain are now forever preserved through a conservation easement placed on the property by landowner Marian Oates in late June. Legacy Parks Foundation and Foothills Land Conservancy will co-hold the easement and are charged with protecting the conservation values of the land in perpetuity.
Throughout the East Tennessee region, one of the most popular tools for landowners to protect their land is through a conservation easement, a legal contract between a landowner and land trusts. The easement defines the activities that may take place on a property in order to protect the land’s conservation values. Landowners continue to own, use and live on the land. A conservation easement protects property from being developed and owners can always sell, lease, or donate their property.
From atop the east side of Bluff Mountain pictures of civilization emerge from below- the twists of roads cut into the hills and building rooftops that reflect the shining sun. To the west, a different story emerges ? a window into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with cascading views of Cove Mountain, Clingmans Dome, and the majestic Mount LeConte.
Ms. Oates property is the site of her family’s old cabin and the long fallen hotel, once a favorite vacation spot for her grandparents back in the early 1900’s. Called the Dupont Springs ‘Cool Chilhowee Health Resort,’ it touted the water as having strong mineral properties that “contained iron, lithia, and magnesia.” It?s this very hotel that inspired her grandparents and their son Frank, to consider the mountain as a permanent holiday spot. Over the next few years Frank acquired land and built roads to access the top of the mountain. In early 1950’s Marian’s father purchased the very top of Bluff Mountain and he and his wife, Emma Ree Crooks Oates, built their dream retirement home in 1964.
The mission at Foothills Land Conservancy is to protect, preserve, and enhance the natural landscape along the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding areas. Their goal is to protect 25,000 acres by our 25th birthday next year.
Legacy Parks Foundation works to assure that our community enjoys exceptional recreational opportunities, natural beauty, and open spaces, and that those assets exist for generations to come. Their mission is to bridge the gap between the services and amenities afforded by government funding and those that allow us to take full advantage of the incredible natural resources of our region.
Downtown Dog Park
Downtown Dog Park Needs Support
Knoxville continues it's quest to become the most pet-friendly community in the country with the addition of a dog park in downtown Knoxville. The new dog park, located at the intersection of Summit Hill and Central Avenue is made possible through a generous $100,000 donation from PetSafe headquartered in Knoxville.
Friends of the Downtown Dog Park are seeking additional funds to fully implement the dog park design created by the East Tennessee Community Design Center and Carol R. Johnson & Associates landscape architects.
Planned features of the Downtown Dog Park include:
- • Large dog and small dog areas
- • Decorative landscape wall with ornamental iron fence
- • Two double-gated entry vestibules
- • Crushed stone perimeter walking path
- • Vine-covered shade pavilion with bulletin boards
- • Sod lawns
- • Shade and flowering trees, native perennial shrubs and grasses
- • In-ground irrigation system
- • Security and decorative lighting
- • Benches, drinking fountains, waste receptacles, bike racks
- • Public art
The initial fundraising goal is $15,000 raised by June 1st. Funds raised beyond that period will go towards additional amenities, including benches, waste receptacles, trees and shrubs.
You may contribute online to the Downtown Dog Park or by mail to: Downtown Dog Park, Legacy Parks Foundation, 525 Market Street, Suite 1203, Knoxville, TN 37992. All contributions are tax deductible.
For more information visit www.cityofknoxville.org or contact Madeleine Weil, Deputy Director of Policy & Communications, City of Knoxville at 215-2680 or mweil@cityofknoxville.org or Blake Valentine, PetSafe, Inc. at 218-4046, bvalentine@petsafe.net