Ijams Nature Center Opens Quarry Swimming Area, Paddling Rentals

Communications Director

Kristin Farley
[email protected]
(865) 215-2589

400 Main St., Room 691
Knoxville, TN 37902

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Ijams Nature Center Opens Quarry Swimming Area, Paddling Rentals

Posted: 05/27/2020
Ijams Nature Center has opened the swimming area at Mead's Quarry in phase two of the City/County reopening plan, which went into effect May 26. 

River Sports Outfitters (RSO) began offering paddle rentals on the lake Memorial Day weekend.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Rentals will close due to inclement weather and will be announced on the RSO Facebook page at @RiverSportsOutfitters.
 
The Ijams Outpost, which offers concessions, beer and other items, will mirror RSO hours. Restrooms at the quarry remain open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
 
The Visitor Center restrooms and limited-contact gift shop/concessions purchases continue to be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All restrooms will close for short periods at set times each day to allow facilities to be cleaned and sanitized. During those times, the front lobby of the Visitor Center also will be closed.
Navitat is open Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are by appointment only.
You are encouraged to wear masks when entering the Visitor Center and while passing other people on the grounds.
 
Ijams remains committed to the health and safety of visitors and staff, and will be evaluating reopening policies, procedures and hours; changes may be implemented at any time.
 
Ijams Nature Center is a nonprofit, 315-acre educational nature center for all ages, abilities and walks of life. Ijams’ mission is to encourage stewardship of the natural world by providing an urban greenspace for people to learn about and enjoy the outdoors through engaging experiences. Located just three miles from downtown Knoxville, Ijams features 12 miles of hiking and mixed-use trails, boating, biking and more. The center offers hundreds of educational programs annually, from school field trips and off-site programs to on-site outdoor and classroom education programs that focus on topics from birding and wildflowers to yoga hikes, cooking classes and art programs. The Ijams grounds and trails are open every day from 8 a.m. until dusk. Due to COVID-10 precautions, the Ijams Visitor Center is open daily on a limited basis from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit Ijams.org or call 865-577-4717.