To a newcomer, UT’s campus appears to be a bastion of concrete and asphalt, definitely not a place that offers many eco-friendly activities.
So, most students find catharsis via social interactions – parties, dance clubs and coffee house. But for those that are looking for a more tranquil and relaxing cathartic experience, Knoxville offers about 21 miles of “Greenways.”
According to the Greenways’ Web site, the “Greenways are corridors of protected open space managed for land and water conservation and recreation. Greenways often follow natural land or water features.” The Web site also features individual maps of each of the Greenways.
“I generally use the greenway to travel by bicycle to and from the university, mainly on weekends or on an occasional weekday when the weather is pleasant and I want to enjoy some exercise and a change of scenery on my way to the university,” Chris Gaby, a senior in microbiology and active member of S.P.E.A.K., said. “On a beautiful day, I’ll pass perhaps five or six joggers or couples walking, someone on skates, and a couple of cyclists. Usually a mother and father will be bicycling with their children.”
Two of the Greenways that are close to campus are the Neyland and Will Skelton Greenways.
The Neyland Greenway stretches from Alcoa Highway to the Gay Street Bridge. It is perfect for students, for it is only a short walk from the main UT campus.
The path hugs the Tennessee River, and students can enjoy reading on any of the benches, feeding the ducks or fishing.
The Third Creek Greenway connects to the Neyland Greenway behind the UT Soccer Complex, and it follows Third Creek up to Tyson Park and all the way out to Sutherland Ave.
The Will Skelton Greenway, on the other hand, is more isolated than Neyland. It begins near the Ijams Nature Center and at times, it goes through dense forest; the city, although nearby, becomes nothing more than an afterthought. As the hiker moves along the trail, birds chatter above and squirrels busy themselves with their antics.
When walking the Will Skelton Greenway, it is very easy to get distracted by Mead’s Quarry, a huge hole in the ground that has filled with water. It really is an awe-inspiring sight; the sheer cliffs and the dense foliage provide for a scenic view.
Ijams is currently conducting restoration activities that, with the help of the community, should make Mead’s Quarry one of the more magnificent sights in Knoxville.
Plans are underway to connect the Will Skelton and Neyland Greenways according to Paul James, the development director at the Ijams Nature Center. When this is done (hopefully within five years), it will be possible to walk (or ride bikes, or rollerblade or skateboard) about six miles from campus to Ijams.
“I use the Greenway as part of a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise,” Gaby said. “I wish more people would take advantage of [it] for that reason. America has seen a rise in diseases that onset later in life, diseases of atrophy of our physical health and abilities. These can be prevented or at least mitigated if we simply alter our lifestyle to include healthy practices such as exercise, and the Greenways in Knoxville have provided us with the means to exercise in a safe, pleasant environment.”
