River Sports Outfitters and the Ijams Nature Center of Knoxville have partnered to provide boaters and bikers easy access to a 275-acre restored natural area on the Tennessee River, just a 5-minute drive from downtown.
Beginning April 2, River Sports Outfitters will provide boats and bikes for rent every weekend through the fall, enabling people to explore a 25-acre lake as well as the woodlands of Ijams Nature Center, which has provided environmental education for more than a century.
“River Sports is excited to partner with Ijams to provide outdoor recreation for its members and the general public,” said Ed McAlister, owner of River Sports Outfitters.
The boat and bike rental operation will give Knoxville residents more options to explore the Nature Center’s vast Wildlife Sanctuary and the neighboring 100-acre Ross Marble Quarry, which opened in November, 2010. From 1881 to the 1940s, the quarry supplied Tennessee Marble to such structures as the Washington Monument. Since 2007, the site has been restored to include multi-use trails that traverse undisturbed woods, rock outcrops and the quarry gorge.
“The corridor being developed adjacent to Ijams provides the perfect opportunity for multiple activities including biking, boating, trail running and walking,” said McAlister.
With the new River Sports rental program, visitors to Ijams will be able to combine environmental education with a bike ride or paddling excursion.
“With recent expansion and the opening of the Ross Marble Natural Area with multi-use trails for hikers and mountain bikers, Ijams is now a 275-acre wildlife sanctuary and environmental learning center,” said Mary Thom Adams, development officer for Ijams. “We’re providing community-wide connections and experiences through education, conservation, recreation and responsible environmental stewardship for all people.”
