The Knox Greenways Coalition’s pledge of $10,000 over five years to the Legacy Parks Foundation brings to $100,000 the balance needed to meet the $1.5 purchase price for the River Bluff Wildlife Area. Legacy Parks Foundation purchased the 70-acre River Bluff property on Knoxville’s south waterfront two days before the Dec 31st deadline, assuring that one of Knoxville’s most spectacular views and ridges is forever preserved as an urban forest. The property, most know as the rocky bluff visible from downtown Knoxville, will be conveyed to City of Knoxville for use as a park once the remaining funds are raised. The 70-acre River Bluff Wilderness Area is the key link in the Urban Wilderness and Historic Corridor project that envisions a 1,000 acre greenspace 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.

You may support the effort through contributions online or by contacting Carol Evans at 865.525.2585.

For more information on the Knox Greenways Coalition contact Betty Schohl at bschohl@usit.net.

Outdoor enthusiasts will have a chance to explore some of Knoxville’s parks, greenways, wilderness, and special places that comprise a part of the Urban Wilderness and Historic Corridor. The Urban Wilderness Challenge will provide three unique activities for adventurers of all levels to play in the recreational, historic and natural assets found along Knoxville’s south waterfront. The event benefits Legacy Parks Foundation and is sponsored by River Sports, Patagonia, Knoxville Volunteer Rotary, Knoxvillager.com, Barley’s, Dewhirst Properties and Appalachian Mountain Bike Club. The Challenge on March 20th includes:

• The Adventure Race that combines biking, rappelling, hiking, running, orienteering and a few surprises during 4-hour team competition.
• Guided Hikes on trails never traveled by the public in Fort Dickerson Park and Ross Marble Quarry at Ijams Nature.
• Paddling on the spectacular Quarry Lake at Fort Dickerson.

Award-winning producer Steve Dean uncovers untold stories of the people and places of the war and its impact in shaping what the city became today in “Holding the High Ground,” to air on WBIR-TV 10 on March 27 at 8:30 p.m. A related presentation, “Knoxville’s Civilian War: The Face of Conflict, 1861-1865,” by Dr. Joan Markel, Civil War Curator at the Frank H. McClung Museum, will explore the diverse personalities who populated Knoxville at that time, examining how the events of 1861-1865 impacted their lives. The documentary and presentation hope to spur interest and contributions to Legacy Parks Foundation’s efforts to purchase and preserve Fort Stanley the only unprotected Civil War fort in the string of three along the ridge. The Foundation must raise $800,000 by December 2010 to save the fort. You may support the effort through contributions online or by contacting Carol Evans at 865.525.2585.

Legacy Parks Foundation will benefit from two national grants secured by two top local retailers. A $1,500 Patagonia Environmental grant to the Foundation through River Sports Outfitters will be used for a clean-up effort at the River Bluff Wildlife Area in conjunction with Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness Challenge. A $1,300 Chaco grant through Mast General Store will support habitat restoration on property in Karns which Legacy Parks Foundation is working to convert to a natural area and park. “These grants bring national funds and national attention to our work in Knoxville,” Tommy Schumpert, board chair said. “During a tight economy, grants such as these help local retailers continue their strong investment in the community by truly leveraging available dollars. ” The Foundation will work with local businesses and retailers on the grant applications and any match requirements.

A strong partnership with Foothills Land Conservancy helped Legacy Parks Foundation end 2009 playing a role in preserving nearly 900 acres in Knox, Blount and Sevier counties. Through collaboration on conservation easements for several key properties, both organizations achieved milestone accomplishments, including the Foundation’s purchase of the River Bluff Wildlife Area and the Conservancy meeting their goal of protecting 25,000 acres by their 25th year. “Foothills Land Conservancy has tremendous expertise in establishing and maintaining conservations easements. Their involvement on the Urban Wilderness and Historic Corridor project, for example, allowed us to negotiate a significantly reduced price for the River Bluff property. In return, our participation on several easements helped them fulfill the ultimate wishes of the landowners. Both organizations are more effective and efficient when we collaborate and compliment each others’ work,” Carol Evans, Legacy Parks Foundation executive director explained.

For more information about conservation easements contact Carol Evans at 865.525.2585 or cevans@legacyparks.org.