Three Bends/Pellissippi Blueway Paddle Trip

TCWP and Advocates for the Oak Ridge Reservation (AFORR) are organizing another scenic paddle trip, scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, April 30, to promote and help maintain the Three Bends and Pellissippi Blueway on Melton Lake. This time we plan to begin at the Clark Center Park boat ramp and paddle across and upstream, and some downstream, to enjoy tranquil inlets, birds, other wildlife and wildflowers, bluffs, and the fabulous scenery that the Pellissippi Blueway area has to offer. We’ll make a stop across the main channel at Knox County’s Melton Lake Park, where a weekend “camporee” is being organized by Knox County. Along the way, we’ll do our part in cleaning up the shoreline by picking up and hauling back manageable trash.

Participants should meet at 1 p.m. at Clark Center Park boat ramp at the end of Bull Bluff Dr. Those needing a kayak or canoe may be able to rent one from Adventure Outdoors Center (Outdoorsrentals.com); assistance on transporting the watercraft can be provided. Please bring a life jacket and wear it whenever in the boat. Be prepared for sun, and bring a lunch and water. Pets are not permitted. For more information, contact Tim Bigelow at 865-607-6781 or Bigelowt2@mindspring.com.