A new guidebook highlights Oak Ridge’s natural assets.
The “Oak Ridge Natural Assets Guidebook” by Legacy Parks Foundation is a collaborative project created at the request of the City of Oak Ridge, Roane County, and Anderson County civic and business leaders, a press release said. It’s in response to recommendations from the Oak Ridge Blueprint Plan that urged the exploration of both recreational opportunities and enhancement of the area’s natural assets.
“The Guidebook is intended to be a living, working document that will serve as a philosophical and practical set of guidelines for how to maximize the area’s natural assets so that they provide a sustainable foundation to engage residents, promote wellness, attract tourism, and increase economic development,” said Carol Evans, executive director of Legacy Parks Foundation.
The Guidebook identifies natural assets and related opportunities on public land in Oak Ridge, including U.S. Department of Energy land, but it does not consider future uses of that land for mission-related or growth purposes, Evans said.
“The vison driving the Guidebook is to assure that Oak Ridge’s natural assets are perpetually valued and appropriately utilized as economic drivers for the community,” Evans said. “The recommendations in the plan were guided by four principles: stewardship, regional and national impact, district identity, and connectivity.”
Evans said Legacy Parks worked with civic and community leaders as the East Tennessee nonprofit organization has done in other communities throughout the region to enhance the recreational, conservational, greenways, and blueways assets for Oak Ridge and beyond.
The initiative was funded with a grant from UCOR, UT-Battelle, CNS/Y-12, and Oak Ridge Associated Universities. Evans and Legacy Parks Board Member Don Parnell coordinated the team from Ackermann Marketing and PR, Ross/Fowler Landscape Architects and Equinox Environmental, the press release said.
To view the Oak Ridge Natural Assets Guidebook, click here.
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