The Highland View Neighborhood Association and the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association have organized a cleanup of the historic Emery Road Rock Pillar Bridge Area near the Midtown Community Center (Wildcat Den) on Saturday.
The cleanup is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 28.
“We invite the public to help in cleaning up this parkland area,” an event notice said. “Bring gloves; other equipment will be provided by Keep Anderson County Beautiful. Snacks and water will be served to participants of the cleanup to sustain the effort.”
The rain day for this event will be May 5.
“Please join us in reclaiming this public area from the overgrowth and litter that has taken it over,” the notice said.
A sign posted for the Emery Road says the Rock Pillar Bridge, which is on the southeast side of the Oak Ridge High School property, was on a route that was first authorized to be “cut and cleared” in 1787. The bridge was built in the early in the early 1900s, before the city that is now Oak Ridge was built as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project in World War II.
The road had become known as as the Emery Road, and it was one of the earliest routes used in the settlement of Middle Tennessee.
Organizers say they seek to seek to get the historic road designated as a National Historic Trail.
The Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association reported that much of the undergrowth has been cleared, and the trash is easily visible.
The organizations reported to be involved in Saturday’s cleanup are the Highview District of Oak Ridge Neighborhood Watch, Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association, Keep Anderson County Beautiful, City of Oak Ridge, Craig Bjelland Tree Service, Friends of the Historic Emery Road, and other groups.
“Be part of preserving our history,” organizers said.
For more information, send an email to woktela@comcast.net.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
Emery Road Rock Pillar Bridge
Emery Road Historical Marker
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