Here are upcoming outdoor Chattanooga news and events:
Street Smarts Cycling Class - April 11
Don’t just ride your bicycle, drive it. Outdoor Chattanooga will host our free, monthly Street Smarts cycling seminar on Wed., Apr. 11, 6 p.m. at our Coolidge Park facility, 200 River St. Learn the rules of the road, TN State bicycle laws and a few, quick tips for riding confidently in traffic. Bring your bicycle and helmet if you want to join an optional practice ride following the class.
Appropriate for adults and kids ages 12 and older when accompanied by an adult. To learn more,
email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at 643-6888.
Bike2Work - April 13
Join Chattanooga’s bicycle commuting crowd for Outdoor Chattanooga’s monthly
Bike2Work breakfast on Fri., Apr. 13, from 7-8:30 a.m. at the Waterhouse Pavilion on Miller Plaza. Enjoy free coffee, breakfast and a place to warm your fingers and toes. Hosted by Hamilton Co. Step One, River City Co., Velo Coffee Roasters, and River City Bicycles. To learn more,
email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at 643-6888.
The Art of Bicycling with the Hunter Museum - April 14
Outdoor Chattanooga and the
Hunter Museum of American Art will host a public art bike tour, ending with the
HATCH art car and bike parade on Sat., Apr. 14, beginning at 11 a.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga. As we ride to the Southside to participate in the parade, we’ll explore some of downtown Chattanooga’s public art. Participants can bring their own bike or can borrow from the Outdoor Chattanooga bicycle fleet. Bike fleet bicycles are available on a first come basis, please
email or call Ruth Thompson at 643-6889 to reserve a bike fleet bike. Helmets are required. The ride is appropriate for adults and kids ages 16 and older when accompanied by an adult.
Look Who Signed up This Week for the Outdoor Expo and Gear Swap at Spring Fest - April 21
Outdoor Chattanooga will host our 6
th annual Outdoor Expo & Gear Swap during the
City of Chattanooga’s Spring Fest on Sat., Apr. 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Coolidge Park. Registration is now open for outdoor organizations, clubs, outfitters and gear swappers. New this year is the Spring Fest Adoptapalooza dog and cat adoption event. Cost is $25 per 10’x10’ space. To learn more,
email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at
643-6888.
Who is coming: Waconda Bay SUP Yoga,
Dixie Homecrafters,
Chattanooga Dragon Boat Club,
ABC Tree Service, the
Gear Closet,
DoGood for a Dog Friendly Chattanooga,
Humane Educational Society of Chattanooga. More exhibitors and gear swappers are signing up every day.
Sign up now or you’ll miss the fun!
Kayakers Needed for Dynamic Hatch 10x10 Event - April 18
We think kayaking is an art, but now we’re going to show the rest of the world. Volunteer kayakers are needed to join us on Wed., Apr. 18, at 11 a.m. to create a
dynamic, moving sculpture on the TN River using whitewater kayaks. The event will be part of the
MakeWork10x10 exhibition at the
Hatch Festival. Some kayaking experience is necessary. To volunteer or learn more,
email or call Terri Chapin at 643-6888.
Native Plant I.D. Hike on Earth Day - April 22
Outdoor Chattanooga invites the public to join professional herbalist Holli Richey for a
leisurely hike at Greenway Farm on Earth Day, Sun., Apr. 22, at 2 p.m. Richey will guide hikers through the farm's ecosystem to identify local plants and how to use them for food and medicine. No registration is necessary. Meet at the canoe and kayak barn at the back of the farm. To learn more,
email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at 643-6888.
More Events
CA&NCSpring Wildflower Festival & Native Plant Sale POSTPONED
The Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center’s annual
Marie Humphreys Spring Wildflower Festival & Native Plant Sale will be postponed from this weekend until later in the spring, due to a setback in the nursery where the plants are prepared for sale. To learn more, call CA&NC at 821-1160, Ext. 0.
Beth Rodden Pint Night and Slide Show at Rock/Creek - April 10
Rock/Creek will host climber Beth Rodden on Tues., Apr. 10, from 6-8 p.m. at their 2 Northshore location for a
pint night and slide show to support access for climbers. Special pint glasses will be available for purchase. Rodden will share her climbing adventures from around the world.
Run for God – Run at the Mill - April 14
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Run for God will partner on the 2
nd annual
Run for God – Run at the Mill on Sat., Apr. 14, beginning at 7 a.m. at historic Praters Mill in Dalton, GA. A half marathon and 5K event will be accompanied by family activities, music and food.
Registration Open for the TN Bike Summit May 2-4
The 1st annual
TN Bike Summit will bring leaders and advocates from around the state to Chattanooga May 2-4. Anyone interested in learning more about improving education, infrastructure, enforcement and other issues effecting cyclists is invited to attend. The conference is free. To learn more,
email or call Chattanooga Bicycle Coordinator Philip Pugliese at 643-6887.
News
Temporary Closure of NPS Picnic Area at Lookout Mtn. Battlefield
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park has closed the picnic area on Sander’s Road on the Lookout Mtn. Battlefield until further notice. The closure is necessary in order to locate and repair a leak to the water line that supplies the rest rooms at that picnic area. The Park’s Facilities Management Division hopes to make these repairs as soon as possible and wishes to apologize for any inconvenience that these activities might cause Park visitors. For more information contact Facility Manager Jeffry Thul at 752-5213, ext. 125.
Are Urban Trails “Safe?”
This
great video from Rails-to-Trails addresses issues of crime and perceptions of safety on urban pathways. Three different cities are featured in the video, and in each place community involvement was the cornerstone for improving the safety and perception of safety on trails.
Job Opportunities
Recreation Specialist w/ Outdoor Chattanooga
The City of Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Dept. is now accepting applications for a Recreation Specialist position with the Outdoor Chattanooga division.
Read a full job description and apply. Posting closes on Wed., April 4, 2012.
Bike Chattanooga Bicycle Transit System – P/T Marketer
Alta Bicycle Share is looking for a part time, temporary Marketing and Events professional for the City of Chattanooga’s
Bike Chattanooga Bicycle Transit System, opening soon.
Learn about the job and apply.
Adventures
Wildflower Hikes at Sequatchie Valley Inst. March 31 & April 7
The
Sequatchie Valley Institute (SVI), near
Dunlap, TN will host grounds tours and wildflower hikes on the Cumberland Plateau on Sat., Mar. 31 and Apr. 7, beginning at 10 a.m., CDT. The public is welcome to come tour the SVI facility, starting at 10 a.m., then hike with guides who are familiar with the geography, ecology and biology of the area. There will be a choice of a long, strenuous hike deep into the neighboring gulf or a shorter, more relaxed walk. Be prepared with long pants, hat, sturdy shoes and a water container. A donation of $5 to $20 to benefit SVI is suggested. To learn more,
email or call SVI at 949-5922.
Volunteer Opportunities
Leda Trail Day with SE Climbers Coalition - April 7
Southeastern Climbers Coalition volunteers will team up with the
Access Fund's Jeep Conservation team to conduct a trail work day at Leda, Montlake Rd. in Soddy Daisy, TN on Sat., Apr. 7, at 9 a.m. Volunteers will do trash pickup, cut back fallen trees, and address erosion issues on the trail as well as below popular climbing zones. Bring gloves, shovels, mattocks, and wear boots. Tools are available if volunteers do not have them. Free Lunch and raffle prizes will be provided to all volunteers. Co-hosted by
REI,
Rock/Creek and the
Crash Pad. For more information or directions,
email or call Matthew at 596-1212.
Urban Rocks Recruiting Summer Street Team Members
Urban Rocks Gym is recruiting volunteers for their
Summer Session Street Team. Volunteers aged 16 and older commit to 8 hours a week helping with birthday parties, groups, summer camps, and the Chattanooga Market. In exchange, they receive a free membership to the gym.
Download an application. Email or call Urban Rocks at 475-6578 to learn more.
Web Hit of the Week
April 4, tomorrow, is the American Heart Association’s
“National Start Walking Day.” What’s stopping you?
Last Week’s Web Hit
Our neighbors at the
Legacy Parks Foundation in Knoxville have followed Chattanooga’s lead with
Outdoor Knoxville. Congratulations, guys!
Upcoming Events . . .
April
16 Cumberland Trail Community Hike w/ Rock/Creek
17 Backpacker Magazine Get Out More Tour
21 Outdoor Expo & Gear Swap at Spring Fest
Chickamauga Chase 15K and 5K
21-22 Sequatchie Valley Fest
22 Native Plant I.D. Hike at Greenway Farm
25-28 Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in GSMNP
27-29 League of Am. Bicyclists Instructor Seminar
28 Pom Pom Pass5K/1 Mile Fun Run
National Corn Bread Festival 5K
Run for Ringgold
Run for Relief
28/29 Volunteer 80 Race to the Smokies
May
1 Rapid Learning Moves to Greenway Farm
2-4 Tennessee Bike Summit
5 3State/3Mountain Challenge
Wilderness First Responder at SAU
Bill Gregory Health Care Classic
King of the Mtn. Road Race
Belvoir Christian Academy 5K
10 Moccasin Bend Bicycle Rides Begin
12 Opening Day for Upper Ocoee River
Another Gorgeous Evening with TN River Gorge Trust
Raccoon Mtn. 10K/5K
19 Chickamauga Battlefield Bicycle Tours Begin
Scenic City Trail Marathon and ½ Marathon
Children’s Hospital Dragon Boat Festival
Chattanooga Tour de Cure
IHN 5K Run and Walk to End Homelessness
Viola Valley Half Marathon
20 Scenic City Triathlon
Wilderness First Responder Recertification at SAU
22 Iron Jr. Triathlon
June
1-3 TN Valley Canoe Club Paddle School
2 National Trails Day
Bicycle Demo Day at ESNP
9 Splash Into Spring
Riverbend Adventure Challenge
10-15 TWRA’s TN Outdoor Youth Summit
15-17 Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race
25-29 Appalachian Adventure Summer Camp
July
8 Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon
23-27 TN River Gorge Adventure Summer Camp
August
4 Still Hollow Half Marathon/10K
September
14/15 Marie Humphreys Fall Open House & Native Plant Sale
October
5-13 RiverRocks Chattanooga
6 Swim the Suck
Rock/Creek Stump Jump
UTC Intra-Squad/Alumni Regatta
13 Chattanooga Head Race
21 7 Bridges Marathon
November
3-4 Head of the Hooch
10 Upchuck 50K/11-Miler
December
15 Lookout Mountain 50-miler/10k