Knox County plans to celebrate Park and Recreation Month in July with a series of events, public awareness campaigns, and activities to showcase area parks and greenways.

Under the guidance of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the country has recognized July as Park and Recreation Month since 1985 in an effort to raise awareness of the essential services that park and recreation professionals provide to communities across the U.S.

"The services that parks and recreation professionals provide are vital for our communities – from protecting open space and natural resources to helping fight obesity and providing activities and resources for all people," said Joe Mack, senior director the Knox County Parks and Recreation Department. "This has been especially true throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Park and Recreation Month encourages everyone to reflect on the exponential value parks and recreation professionals bring to communities."

The county will kick off the celebration from 1-3 p.m. on Friday, July 1 at the New Harvest Park splash pad. The event is open to the public and includes some giveaways for children, prizes for survey participants and free Kona Ice.

Other public events include:

• Walk with Knox County Commissioner Courtney Durrett at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 7 during the New Harvest Park Farmers Market.


• Second Saturday Concert Series at the Cove and Clayton Park from 6-8 p.m. on Monday, July 11


• Karns Community Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 16 at Karns High School where participants can play games, shop, and eat great food.


• Open house and job fair on Tuesday, July 19 at Three Ridges Golf Course 9 a.m. to noon, and July 21 1-4 p.m. at John Tarleton Park.


• USTA Points and Pints Kick Off at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 28 at Ball Camp Park Tennis Courts (Modified) Adult Tennis open play.


• All of the public events during the month of July will allow Knox County residents an opportunity to provide feedback on our Parks Master Plan and recommendations for 10 County Parks that will renovated as a part of the Legacy Parks Foundation ABC Making the Grade Fundraiser.

In addition, the Knox County Commission plans to pass a resolution designating July 2022 "Park and Recreation Month."

The NRPA and Knox County encourages everyone who supports parks and recreation to share how it has improved their quality of life, as well as why their local park and recreation professionals are important to them, on social media with the hashtag #RiseUpJuly.

To learn more about Park and Recreation Month, visit knoxcounty.org/parks and www.nrpa.org/july.

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