Williams Creek Consortium Founder Rick Roach Strives to Clean Up Knox County’s Most Polluted Creek - Story

Williams Creek Consortium Founder Rick Roach Strives to Clean Up Knox County’s Most Polluted Creek - Story: City Greenways director Donna Young has big plans for connecting the area to her existing 41 miles of greenways.



Piece from 2010 mentions expansion of Williams Creek greenway system.

Rental Bikes are Here! | The Daily Pulse

Rental Bikes are Here! | The Daily Pulse:

The maps given to renters will include routes to Tyson Park, the University of Tennessee Greenways, World’s Fair Park, and a loop around downtown. Evans said these options will give people the option of riding only on the greenways, or around downtown, if they’re comfortable with that. There are no plans to include tips for safe riding in traffic downtown.

Greenway plan connecting West Knox to Oak Ridge may be rolled out by 2015 � Knoxville News Sentinel

Greenway plan connecting West Knox to Oak Ridge may be rolled out by 2015 � Knoxville News Sentinel:

“A lot of people who live in this part of the city and county commute to Oak Ridge,” Zavisca said, and there already has been interest in a safe route that would all them to bike to work.

Initial response was positive, she said adding that this is the fastest-growing district in Knox County.

That growth potential offers planners an opportunity to partner with residential and business developers to set aside a portion of their property for the greenway, either by donating the land or agreeing to a right-of-way across it.

City asking greenway users to stay clear of Knox Blount greenway construction zone � Knoxville News Sentinel

City asking greenway users to stay clear of Knox Blount greenway construction zone � Knoxville News Sentinel: KNOXVILLE — Knoxville officials are asking hikers, bikers and runners to stay patient and let crews finish the first phase of the city’s Knox Blount Greenway Project.

Construction began a couple months ago and people are being asked to avoid the zone for safety reasons, Kathleen Gibi, Parks and Recreation Department spokeswoman, said Friday.

The $1.65 million first phase of the project will build a 1.7 mile stretch the J.E. “Buck” Karnes Bridget to the south side of Marine Park.

Once completed, the project will create a greenway network connecting an 18-mile stretch connecting downtown Knoxville to downtown Maryville. Other sections of the greenway will be built by Knox and Blount counties and also the state.

“This is a terrific example of joint planning, regional collaboration at its best, where everyone works together to accomplish a shared vision that will really serve the residents of Knox and Blount counties,” Joe Walsh, parks and recreation director, said. “Plus, the great views of the river will be something special.”

Two grants from the state Department of Transportation will fund the project. The city is paying a 20 percent match to secured the grants.

The project has been designed in coordination with the University of Tennessee Cherokee Farms Infrastructure Project, the UT Golf Facility Project and the UT Bank Stabilization Project, according to an announcement released Friday.

2014 Neighborhood Bike Ride

The 2013 Neighborhod Bike Ride was cancelled due to rain.

I viewed the 2013 route map and felt a different route might be safer and more fun.

Along with the 6th Avenue Mural, it would highlight several historic center-city neighborhoods.

The route I would like to propose highlights the following features:

• Market Square
• Gay Street
• Old City
• First Creek Greenway
• "Abbey Fields" community supported agriculture
• Parkridge Community / Historic Barber Homes
• 6th Avenue Mural (Installed Summer 2013)
• Old North Knoxville Neighborhood
• Fourth and Gill Neighborhood
• Emory Place Neighborhood
• Gay Street Streetscape

My preferred route avoids a hilly and uninteresting climb on McCalla east of Barley's Taproom, avoids a climb at Winona and Magnolia, and takes bikers past points of interest including the Cansler YMCA and KAT garage, First Creek Greenway, and new "Abbey Fields Community Supported Agriculture Farm."

My preferred route also bypasses Olive Street, which has a slight dip unattractive to cyclists. My route also goes under I-40, highlighting the new 6th Avenue Mural Project.

Importantly, this route avoids crossing Hall of Fame Drive, particularly at Hall of Fame and Fourth Avenue, which is essentially a "blind" approach for drivers headed South on Hall of Fame. This direction also highlights Old North Knoxville.

Rather than follow Sixth Avenue, it is possible to take the Greenway; however my route as mapped follows Sixth Avenue prior to returning on Grainger North Fourth Avenue to Glenwood past Brownlow Elementary, and cruising down Luttrell towards Fourth Avenue and Emory Place before returning on Gay.

The difference in these two potential routes is less than one mile. Overall difference in gain is about 25 feet (207 - 174), The most significant gain is on Glenwood between Fourth and Luttrell (917 feet at 3.51 mi to 958 feet at 3.63 miles or a change of 41 feet in .12 miles, a 6.4% grade.  This is actually not the steepest segment - the most significant grade is the climb from Gay and Magnolia back to Market Square.

Overall, the route I have outlined is slightly longer, but with more points of interest and greater safety.

View 2013 Neighborhood Bike Ride in a larger map

Proposed 2013 Route.  4.64 miles.  Gain: 174 Feet

View Proposed 2014 Neighborhood Bike Ride (T. Jessel) in a larger map

Proposed 2014 Bike Ride.  5.3 Miles. Gain 207 Feet.

Cyclist Struck in Hit-and-run on Gay Street Viaduct

WBIR) A bicyclist is in the hospital after a car hit him near downtown Knoxville and took off Monday morning.
Knoxville police said Cameron Bolin, 26, of Maryville was riding his by bicycle when a car hit him on the Gay Street viaduct at Depot Avenue shortly after 7:45 a.m. Officers said Bolin was wearing a helmet.
Crews drove him to UT Medical Center where he is listed in serious condition. Police said they don't have a description of the vehicle at this time.
Anyone who saw the hit-and-run is asked to call the Knoxville Police Department at 865-215-7212. Callers can remain anonymous.

KPD searching for suspicious man with knife on West Knoxville greenway � Knoxville News Sentinel

KPD searching for suspicious man with knife on West Knoxville greenway � Knoxville News Sentinel

“A woman reported she was walking on the greenway and saw a male holding a knife behind his back as he walked behind another woman,” the release states. “The women asked the man what he was doing, at which point he fled westbound on the greenway (toward Gallaher View Road.)”
Numerous patrol officers, including several with bicycles, converged on the area. They spoke with multiple witnesses, but were unable to locate the suspect, the release states.

 This is the third greenway incident victimizing women in two months. What's happening here?  Knoxville Police has bicycle patrols - should there be more officers on bicycle?  Have you ever felt unsafe on the greenways?  What would you do if you saw a suspicious person?

I will say at a recent visit to the Holston River dog park, I saw a man acting aggressively towards other park visitors.  While several visitors simply hoped to avoid a confrontation, because I was at the dog park I saw that the man harassed several people.  While each visitor may have thought it was a single incident - I witnessed a pattern.  When police arrived, the man was arrested and had apparently been drinking and was under the influence.

So if you see something - say something.  Keep the KPD saved in your phone - or just use 911.  This incident could have escalated if someone had not been watching out for the fellow legitimate park users.

Report anything suspicious - you are a key part in making Knoxville area parks safe for everyone to enjoy.