Tennessee is no longer our “home,” but we were glad to get our fix of green for the spring during our brief visit to Knoxville (on our way to South Carolina).

Collier Preserve Park, Powell, Tennessee

Tucked behind Powell Public Library, 10 miles from downtown Knoxville, hides an urban oasis: Collier Park Preserve. Although I’ve lived in Knoxville and worked in Norris/Clinton area for a while, I only discovered this lush hideaway this year.

The Collier family gifted 12-acres of land toward the park, equipping it with native plants and a (very soft) paved nature path. Several benches, a pond, and an observation deck provide perfect stopping points along the way. A collaboration with the library produced another interesting and unique feature: a storybook trail placing pages from children’s story books on displays along the path.

I walked slowly, taking in the vibrant green canopy and birdsong rising above the muffled noise of Emory Road traffic nearby.

Sequoyah Hills Park, Knoxville, Tennessee

No trip to Knoxville feels complete without a stop to Sequoyah Hills Park. We were greeted by familiar sights of water, waterfowl, and a majestic oak tree guarding the westernmost park entrance.