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1. City Nature Challenge Had Best Year Yet
2. Hayley Attends Workshop About National Good Neighbor Day
3. Shannett Shares Information About Love Your Block
4. ONE Welcomes Summer in the City Intern
5. ONE Offers Slow Down in K-Town Program
6. NAC Meets Next Week
7. Kid A’ Riffic Fun In The Park Begins June 4
8. Parks and Recreation Accepting Challenge Grant Applications
9.
Knoxville Neighborhoods Calendar (click link for online calendar)
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1. City Nature Challenge Had Best Year Yet
The Tenth Annual City Nature Challenge happened Friday, April 25-Monday, April 28, 2025, and the official numbers are now in.
This is where anyone can be a novice scientist, take photos of nature, upload it to iNaturalist, and these observations are available to scientists. Over the past 10 years it has shown what kinds of species are in specific areas, what hasn’t been seen before,
and can help guide future work.
For 2025 in the Knoxville region, we had 7458 observations, 1611 species were identified, and 571 people participated. Las year, we had 5545 observations, 1434 species identified and 465 people participated. We grew by over 100 people and almost 2000 more
observations. Great work, everyone! It is exciting to see Knoxville neighbors getting involved in such an innovative project.
Also, we may have beaten out Chattanooga, Nashville, Memphis, and the North East areas of Tennessee, but we aren’t bragging. 😊
Worldwide, we had 669 cities participating, 62 countries, 3.3 million observations, 73,700 species were identified, and 103,000 people participated.
That is amazing when you consider that in 2016, there were only 2 cities participating in one country.
Mark your calendars for the last weekend in April 2026 if you would like to join in the fun next year.
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2. Hayley Attends Workshop About National Good Neighbor Day
The week before last, Hayley and Shannett attended the
Neighborhoods U.S.A. Conference in Jacksonville, Florida. Of the six workshops that Hayley attended, her favorite experience was learning more about
National Good Neighbor Day.
National Good Neighbor Day was created in the early 1970s by Becky Mattson of Lakeside, Montana. In 1978, United States President Jimmy Carter issued Proclamation 4601: “As our Nation struggles to build friendship among the peoples of this world, we are mindful
that the noblest human concern is concern for others. Understanding, love and respect build cohesive families and communities. The same bonds cement our Nation and the nations of the world.
For most of us, this sense of community is nurtured and expressed in our neighborhoods where we give each other an opportunity to share and feel part of a larger family… I call upon the people of the United States and interested groups and organizations to
observe such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.” In 2003, National Good Neighbor Day was changed from the fourth Sunday in September to simply Sept. 28, no matter what the day was.
This year, Hayley invites you to join the movement to make our community better, one neighborhood at a time. Meet your neighbors, make connections, and increase a feeling of belonging.
If you and/or your neighborhood plan to do an event or an act of neighboring, please share with us by emailing Hayley Howard at
hho...@knoxvilletn.gov. |
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3. Shannett Shares Information About Love Your Block
The week before last, Hayley and Shannett attended the
Neighborhoods U.S.A. Conference in Jacksonville, Florida. Of the six workshops that Shannett attended, her best learning experience was learning more about
Love Your Block, a new opportunity for neighborhood revitalization.
Neighborhood organizations in Knoxville have an exciting new opportunity to make a big impact on their communities.
What is Love Your Block? Love Your Block, developed by
Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Public Innovation, supports grassroots efforts to transform neighborhoods through small but powerful projects. The program provides funding, resources, and technical assistance to help residents tackle issues like blight,
vacant lots, graffiti, and public space improvements.
Knoxville’s strong sense of community and active neighborhood associations make it a perfect fit for Love Your Block. Whether it’s revitalizing a neglected alley, creating a pocket park, or organizing a block party to foster connections, this program can help
turn ideas into reality.
Some of the ways Love Your Block works is through
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Mini-Grants: funding for community-led projects such as park cleanups, mural paintings, tree plantings, or neighborhood beautification
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City Partnerships: collaborations with local government to ensure long-term support for initiatives
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Volunteer Engagement: mobilizing neighbors to take ownership of their blocks
If you or your neighborhood organization is interested in having this program in Knoxville, visit Johns Hopkins University’s
website to learn more. |
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4. ONE Welcomes Summer in the City Intern
The
Office of Neighborhood Empowerment (ONE) welcomes Amar Swamy, our new intern through the
Summer in the City Internship Program.
Amar will be assisting with various administrative and support tasks, while also participating in weekly personal and professional development sessions on topics such as civic education, economic mobility, mental health, communication, and social justice.
Amar comes to us from West High School and is interested in school Track & Field and Community Service in the city. He has already been active in community work through
Two Bikes and
Voice of the Voiceless.
If you are in the City County Building, stop by our office and introduce yourself!
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5. ONE Offers Slow Down in K-Town Program
Slow
Down in K-Town is a neighborhood-focused education program that can be led and implemented by each individual neighborhood that is concerned about speeding.
The
Office of Neighborhood Empowerment (ONE) offers an
Anti-Speeding Education Campaign Guide crammed with ideas, traffic safety information, and step-by-step suggestions for engaging speedy neighbors and cut-through drivers. ONE can also provide “Slow Down in K-Town" yard signs for those that are interested
while supplies last. Neighborhoods located within the City of Knoxville can get up to 6 free signs with the option to purchase additional signs at $10 per sign.
If you would like some "Slow Down in K-Town" signs for your neighborhood, please complete this
application and return it to Hayley Howard at
hho...@knoxvilletn.gov. |
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6. NAC Meets Next Week
The Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) will meet on Wednesday, June11, from 4:30-6 p.m. at the Public Works Service Center, 3131 Morris Ave.
NAC members will hear about the
local option sales tax proposal. Members will also learn tips and tricks on how to organize and engage with neighbors. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
The City of Knoxville ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II laws and reasonably provides translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, auxiliary
aids and services.
To request language translation services, contact the City’s Human Resources Department at tit...@knoxvilletn.gov
or 865-215-3100. For disability accommodations, contact City ADA Coordinator Stephanie Brewer Cook at
sc...@knoxvilletn.gov or 865-215-2034. |
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7. Kid A’ Riffic Fun In The Park Begins June 4
Kid
A’ Riffic Fun in the Park, sponsored by
Home Federal Bank, kicks off another season of summer fun for families on Wednesday, June 4, at Chilhowee Park, 3301 E Magnolia St. The first event includes a “touch a truck” area where participants can interact with heavy equipment and other City work
vehicles.
Hosted by the City’s
Office of Special Events,
Parks and Recreation, and other community partners, Kid A’ Riffic offers free games, crafts and other activities designed for children ages 2-12. Participation is free, and no registration is required.
Events will be held Wednesdays in June and July from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the following locations:
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June 4 – Chilhowee Park, 3301 E. Magnolia Ave.
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June 11 – Safety City of Knoxville, 165 S. Concord St.
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June 18 – Rock City Ballfield and Fire Station No. 10, 1350 East Moody Ave.
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June 25 – Ijams Nature Center, 2915 Island Home Park
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July 19 – West Hills Park, John Bynon Park, 7624 Sheffield Dr.
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July 16 – Adair Park, 1807 Adair Dr.
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July 23 – World’s Fair Park, 1060 World’s Fair Park Dr.
Kid A’ Riffic began in 2019 as a weekly way to connect youngsters and their families with summertime activities in Market Square. In 2023, Kid A’ Riffic was awarded Best Children's Event in the Southeast by the
Southeast Festivals & Events Association (SFEA).
For more information about City parks’ amenities, visit
KnoxvilleTN.gov/parks.
If you have questions about individual Kid A’ Riffic Fun in the Park events, contact Special Events at
specia...@knoxvilletn.gov or call 865-215-4248. |
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8. Parks and Recreation Accepting Challenge Grant Applications
The
City of Knoxville’s Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting applications for their 2025 Challenge Grants between now and June 27, at 4:30 p.m.
These grants are provided to non-profit projects associated with public parks or recreation facilities within the City limits.
The grants are available to 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6) status community groups, homeowner associations, schools, Scout troops and other organizations.
If you are a neighborhood organization that is not a 501(c)3, you could find a non-profit to be your fiscal sponsor.
Recipients of a challenge grant will be reimbursed 50 percent of the cost of a single project, up to $3,000.
In past years, grants have been used for playground equipment, water fountains, benches and landscaping. The Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department has been awarding challenge grants to non-profit groups for more than 25 years.
Challenge Grants may also be used to promote activities in City Parks and on Greenways. Grants can provide matching funds for various fitness classes such as Yoga, Tai Chi, or other activities. Passive programming for activities such as painting and birdwatching
will also be considered. Approved activities must be on City Park properties, and all other rules associated with the Challenge Grant Program will apply.
In order to receive a grant, the projects are preferred to be on City owned or leased property; however, they must be related to a facility that is available to all residents on a yearly basis.
The grant funding may not be used to purchase a new facility, regular maintenance, or for the purchase of individual or team equipment.
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6. Knoxville
Neighborhoods Calendar (click link for online calendar)
To add your neighborhood event or meeting to the Google calendar, call 865-215-3232.
Other Calendars
Additional online calendars that cover events outside the neighborhood realm include:
The City of Knoxville requires a permit to operate a short-term rental property. Details and a list of short-term rental permits are located on the City’s website
here.
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