Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and representatives of the City's Parks and Recreation Department kicked off Older Americans Month at 2 p.m. on April 30 at Northgate Terrace Center, 4301 Whittle Springs Road.

Since 1963, the U.S. Administration on Aging has named May as Older Americans Month, and Knoxville Parks and Recreation will be celebrating with seniors at its two public senior centers and four KCDC high rise towers.

All through May, seniors citywide can enjoy a calendar full of events and activities including senior luncheons, craft classes, hiking, aqua classes, and low-cost field trips to events like the Biscuit Festival, carnivals, and local flea markets.

City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Director Joe Walsh has named Lori Goerlich, a former project manager for the Forest Preserve District in Will County, Illinois, as the Parks and Greenways Coordinator for the City.

The former project manager also has experience as a landscape designer with Jacobs/Ryan Associates, a Chicago-based landscape architectural consulting firm, and Thompson Dyke and Associates, a landscape firm with emphasis on municipal planning.

"I'm excited about getting the position filled and Lori starting work," Walsh said. "It's great timing with our new administration and Mayor Madeline Rogero's deep support of parks and greenways. Lori has qualifications that are very relevant to what she'll be doing in Knoxville."

Goerlich has managed the design and installation of several park projects and has worked in urban areas on community enhancement and recreation. A graduate of Iowa State University, Goerlich has interned with the Chicago Park District and in San Francisco - where she was part of a team to submit the winning design for an urban park.

Her duties as Knoxville's Parks and Greenways Coordinator will include tying Knoxville's communities together through trails and greenways; seeking funding and in-kind contributions to fund greenways; and planning greenway routes as well as park improvements.

"Lori's resume shows her commitment to parks and greenways, and I'm glad she is joining the City of Knoxville," Mayor Rogero said. "Her dedication and passion will help us continue the City's commitment to a greener Knoxville and enhanced outdoor recreational opportunities."

Goerlich will begin Thursday, April 5.

Get fit and feel fabulous with the ancient art of belly dance that provides a total workout for the body, mind and spirit with beginner belly dance lessons at Knoxville Arts and Fine Crafts.

Belly dancing is a  thorough, non impact, fat burning workout, that tones and sculpts the body and promotes a positive mental attitude. Hip scarves are provided to borrow or to purchase.

Group parties and family friendly performance opportunities are also available. Sandy is a certified dance and fitness instructor.

$60 for 6 week session & CITY EMPLOYEES recieve 25% off.  PRE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED & WE NEED 6 STUDENTS TO MAKE A CLASS.

Please RSVP &/or call for more info: 523-1401 or 548-4716

KNOXVILLE ARTS & FINE CRAFTS CENTER

1127B Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917

Sandy Larson, Instructor: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cathy Maples KAFCC Director This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Elise Murphy KAFCC Art Specialist: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Knoxville Parks and Recreation will hold the second annual "Doggie Dip" on Monday, September 5, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Inskip Pool, located at 4024 Bruhin Road, will be closed to the human population after its last day of the year, Sunday, September 4, 2011. However, dog owners will be allowed to bring their pooches for a swim this Labor Day before the pool gates are closed for the year.

"We're happy to provide fun events that get people outdoors and enjoying a new kind of fun at the pool. This happens to be an event where the entire family is invited-especially the dogs," said Joe Walsh, Director of Knoxville Parks and Recreation.

Cost is $5 per dog with a maximum of two dogs per owner with no charge for the owner attending. If additional family members want to join the event, the cost is $2 per person. There will also be a raffle and auction for all who attend.

The Young Williams Animal Center, several veterinarians, various rescue groups and even a canine treat specialist will host booths at the dip.

Lifeguards will be on site during the event.

Leashes, up-to-date vaccinations and tags are required for all dogs. Doggie Dip registration forms must be filled out and submitted for each dog.

To acquire a registration form and for all other information, please visit www.cityofknoxville.org, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call 865-687-9919.

The City's Parks and Recreation will hold a Splash Jam at Ed Cothren Pool in Malcolm Martin Park located at 1737 Reynolds St. on Friday, July 29, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The City of Knoxville's Parks and Recreation Department is holding its annual "Splash Jam" for children who have participated in the City's Summer Playground Program this year.

Kids will represent their recreation center and will be split into age groups to compete in rounds of friendly competition. These include the dive and retrieve, cannonball, brick swim, underwater frogman, diving, traditional swim, and a four-person swim relay. The recreation center with children who win the most events will be declared the overall winner. Approximately 150 children will participate in the event.

Children who participated in the Summer Playground Program took field trips to the city's Ed Cothren and Inskip Pools to learn water safety and swimming techniques. This "Splash Jam" celebrates what they learned this summer.

For information on public swim lessons offered by the City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department please call 865-687-9919.

The pump for the filtration system at Ed Cothren pool broke Sunday, July 24. The pool will be closed while repairs are made. Please check back at www.cityofknoxville.org/recreation/swimming for updates on Ed Cothren Pool repairs.

Ed Cothren Pool
1737 Reynolds St.
865-544-7840
Season: May 28, 2011 - August 14, 2011
Cost: $1.50/person/visit
Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Dads, kids, and the whole family will be able to catch a bonding experience at the Father's Day Fishing Event, presented by City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department and the Mast General Store on Sunday, June 19, 2011, in Victor Ashe Park.

The event will run from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the park which is located at 4901 Bradshaw Rd.

More than 200 children and their parents participated in last year's event.

"There is always a great turnout for this event because it is good, free, family fun," said Joe Walsh, Director of Knoxville Parks and Recreation. "Events like this—that bring families and communities together—is what parks and recreation is all about."

The two-acre lake at Victor Ashe Park contains channel catfish ranging from 2-8 pounds that were donated by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, in addition to the existing large mouth bass and bluegill.

The Mast General Store is partnering with the City of Knoxville by donating prizes to be given away, including a grand prize for the largest fish caught by a father/child team. There's also a prize for the first person to catch the albino catfish that will be put in the lake.

Participants should bring their own bait, tackle, fishing poles, and blankets. Refreshments will be available for purchase at the event.

Fishing licenses are required on site for everyone over the age of 13 that will be fishing. There is a take-home limit of two fish for this event.

No pre-registration is necessary. However, participants can register for door prizes on the day of the event.

For more information, please visit www.cityofknoxville.org/recreation/fathersday or call 3-1-1.