Oak Ridge Today

Outdoor Pool closed Sunday due to weather

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The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool is pictured above on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool on Providence Road will be closed Sunday, May 28, due to the colder temperatures and forecasted weather, a press release said.

The pool is expected to re-open on Monday, May 29, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Beginning Tuesday, May 30, summer hours will be in effect. Public swim is Monday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m., Wednesday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The pool will also be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to noon for 100-meter lap swims.

As a reminder, the pool schedule is subject to change due to weather, special events, and/or staffing, the press release said.

For more information, visit OakRidgeTN.gov or call the Recreation and Parks Department at (865) 425-3450.

Outdoor pool to re-open Friday

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The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool is pictured above on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool will open for the season this weekend, Memorial Day weekend.

The pool will be open from 12 to 6 p.m. Friday, May 26, through Monday, May 30.

Then, beginning May 31, the pool will be open summer hours. Public swims will be Monday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m., Wednesday nights from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The pool will also be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to noon for 100-meter lap swims.

As a reminder, areas of the pool may be closed at times depending on activities, attendance, and staffing. The pool schedule is subject to change due to weather, special events, and/or staffing, a press release said.

[Read more…]

Guided paddle trip on Melton Hill Lake on Sunday

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A guided scenic paddle trip on Melton Hill Lake from Clark Center Park is scheduled for Sunday, April 30.

It will begin at the Clark Center Park boat ramp, a press release said. After paddling across the lake, there will be a stop at Knox County’s Melton Lake Park, where Knox County is sponsoring a weekend camporee. Along the way, participants can pick up and haul back manageable trash, a press release said. [Read more…]

Guided wildflower hike at Haw Ridge on Saturday

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Wildflower fans will enjoy a guided, curated hike on Haw Ridge this Saturday, April 29, at 10 am. There will likely be sightings of inconspicuous orchid, Wister’s coralroot, and other spring wildflowers, a press release said.

“Some of these flowers are growing on a small cedar barren,” said botanist and hike leader Larry Pounds. “We’ll walk a loop of less than two miles. The trail is rough in places.” [Read more…]

Centennial Golf professional named PGA teacher, coach of year

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Des Mahoney, the teaching professional at Centennial Golf Academy at the Centennial Golf Club in Oak Ridge, was awarded the 2022 PGA Teacher and Coach of the Year by the Knoxville Chapter of the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) at their event on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022. (Submitted photo)

Des Mahoney, the teaching professional at Centennial Golf Academy at the Centennial Golf Club in Oak Ridge, was awarded the 2022 PGA Teacher and Coach of the Year by the Knoxville Chapter of the Professional Golfers Association at their event on Monday, December 12.

This is not Mahoney’s first recognition, a press release said. He has achieved Top 10 PGA Teacher in Tennessee multiple times.

Mahoney said he has a passion for continually improving his teaching skills by talking to other golf instructors in the country to share and implement some of the newest insights in golf instruction. [Read more…]

Early Oak Ridge to be discussed during NPS hike

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A photo by Ed Westcott of Cedar Hill Elementary School in Oak Ridge in 1945. (Photo credit: U.S. Department of Energy/Westcott)

Early Oak Ridge, including its school system, shopping centers, and housing, will be discussed during a hike with National Park Service rangers on Saturday, December 10.

The hike is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. December 10 at Cedar Hill Park, the former location of Cedar Hill Elementary School.

“Along the hike, we’ll discuss the early school system of Oak Ridge, early shopping centers, and housing in the Clinton Engineer Works (a name for Oak Ridge during World War II),” the NPS said.

[Read more…]

Indoor pool to close temporarily for resurfacing

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The Oak Ridge Indoor Swimming Pool will close on Monday, Dec. 12, 2022, and will remain closed through at least January 2023 for resurfacing. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

The Oak Ridge Indoor Swimming Pool will close on Monday, December 12, and will remain closed through at least January 2023 for resurfacing.

An exact re-opening date has not been set because of the uncertainty that comes with construction and delays in product delivery, a press release said.

[Read more…]

Pre-World War II settlements to be discussed during Saturday hike

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Canning was a part of life in agricultural East Tennessee before World War II. (Photo credit: Tennessee Valley Authority)

During a hike on Saturday, the National Park Service will discuss settlements in the area before World War II and the drastic changes to the area during the war.

The hike is scheduled on North Boundary Greenway. It will start at the East Quarry Road Trailhead at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 26.

[Read more…]

Secret City Half Marathon & 5k is Saturday

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More than 700 runners are expected at the Secret City Half Marathon and 5k in Oak Ridge on Saturday, and several roads will be closed during the race.

The race is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday.

The roads that will be closed during the race are:

[Read more…]

Greenway, park closures announced for hunts

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There will be greenway and park closures in November and December for hunts in the Oak Ridge Wildlife Management Area.

The big game quota hunts will be held by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy and the City of Oak Ridge.

“For everyone’s safety, only hunters possessing a valid Oak Ridge WMA quota permit are allowed on the WMA during scheduled quota hunts,” a press release said.

[Read more…]

Oak Ridge Healthy Waters Program hosting Ijams River Rescue

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The Oak Ridge Stormwater Division and Healthy Waters Program will host a volunteer cleanup on Melton Hill Lake in March. It’s the 33rd Annual Ijams River Rescue, which is a volunteer cleanup event hosted by Ijams Nature Center.

The cleanup is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 12.

“Volunteers are encouraged to come out to the Boat Ramp at 173 Edgemoor Road near Haw Ridge Park to keep Melton Hill Lake beautiful,” a press release said.

There is trash in the water and along the banks in the area, which sees high foot traffic and many wildlife sightings as well as litter from vehicles traveling on Edgemoor Road, the press release said.

[Read more…]

Hike with park ranger, learn history

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You can hike with a park ranger and learn about history on Cedar Hill Greenway this month.

“Grab your boots and jacket to join us on a hike through the Secret City,” a press release said. “Manhattan Project National Historical Park will be hosting a hike with a ranger along the Cedar Hill Greenway in Oak
Ridge.”

The hike will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 26. The 2.5-mile moderate hike will begin at Cedar Hill Park, the former location of Cedar Hill Elementary School.

“Park rangers will be discussing the early school system of Oak Ridge as well as the shopping centers and housing in the Clinton Engineer Works,” the press release said.

[Read more…]