Knox County Schools are out and parents and kids alike will be deliriously happy to have free time – right up until the moment when a kid asks, “What are we going to do today?”
Good news. We’ve got free fun in Farragut. Here’s some entertainment that will satisfy the kids without straining the wallet:
Ride a bike. Summers are made for bike rides. Head to McFee Park and take the kids for a spin on the new bike trail! The signage isn’t installed yet, but you can find the trailhead behind the large pavilion by the splashpad. It’s a 1.5-mile loop through the woods for beginner mountain bikers or walkers of all levels.
Fish at Anchor Park. The pond at Anchor Park was recently stocked for the Bob Watt Fishing Rodeo, and it’s a safe bet that a few of the fish got away. Grab a pole and some bait (I’ve heard hot dogs works well) and try your luck.
Take a walk in the woods at Founders Park. If you can get the kids out of the creek, a beautiful walking trail (some of it unpaved) winds through trees and wildflowers. It’s a terrific little urban wilderness.
Get wet at the splashpad. McFee Park boasts the largest splashpad in Knox County, as well as a fabulous playground. Kids can run, play, splash, repeat. Don’t forget the swim diapers and the sunscreen!
Kick a ball around. What kid doesn’t want to play catch or kick a ball on a grass field? While many Town of Farragut fields are reserved for team practice, no reservations are required for the field behind the sand volleyball courts at Mayor Bob Leonard Park or the Great Lawn at McFee Park. On weekends, the same is true of the rectangle field at Anchor Park. These fields are not available for large group use, but they’re perfect for families.
Try out a new park. If you haven’t visited the BlueCross Healthy Place at Town Hall, it’s an inclusive, multi-generational space with a merry-go-round and musical instruments. Phase 3 of McFee Park has tennis/pickleball courts and a basketball court in addition to the Great Lawn, so it’s a great place to get your game on – or snooze in the sun.
Listen to live music. Mark your calendars – there’s a concert for everyone at Founder’s Park this summer! Come out for live bluegrass at the Bluegrass Summer Solstice on Wednesday, June 21. In July, there’s a Party in the Parks for kids on Thursday, July 20, and a Lawnchair Concert on Saturday, Aug. 19. Check farragutparksandrec.org in the coming weeks for more info on the July and August events.
Don’t forget to add Farragut’s Annual Independence Day Parade to the summer calendar. It begins at 9:30 a.m. on July 4!