Oak Ridge Today

Oak Ridge Christmas Tree Lighting this evening

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

oak-ridge-christmas-tree-lighting-a-dec-2-2016
A previous Oak Ridge Christmas tree lighting in 2016 in Alvin K. Bissell Park. (File photo by City of Oak Ridge)

The City of Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will have its annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 2, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Pavilion in A.K. Bissell Park. The tree, a Norway Spruce, was presented by the Oak Ridge Woman’s Club to the city and has become part of a growing community tradition, a press release said.

The event will kick off at the outdoor A.K. Bissell Park Pavilion with seasonal music and the Park Board Awards ceremony. There will also be light refreshments provided by Y-12 Federal Credit Union and the Park Board, the press release said.

Following the program, participants will proceed to the Secret City Commemorative Walk on the east side of the Oak Ridge Public Library parking area for a brief ceremony ending with the tree lighting.

[Read more…]

Reminder: Fireworks tonight in A.K. Bissell Park

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Fireworks at Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge on July 4, 2017. (File photo by D. Ray Smith)

A reminder: The annual fireworks show in Oak Ridge is in Alvin K. Bissell Park tonight (Thursday, July 4).

The fireworks show is sponsored by the City of Oak Ridge to celebrate Independence Day.

Today’s fireworks are expected to begin after dark at about 9:45 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Community Band, now in its 75th year, will perform before the fireworks. The concert is free, but donations are accepted by the band to help cover the cost of equipment and other expenses, a press release said. The music is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m. WMYL 96.7 Merle FM will be live following the band performance and will broadcast the soundtrack for the fireworks display.

[Read more…]

Fireworks are July 4 in A.K. Bissell Park

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge fireworks are July 4 in Alvin K. Bissell Park. The Independence Day fireworks show is sponsored by the City of Oak Ridge, and it is expected to begin after dark at approximately 9:45 p.m. July 4, 2019. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

Oak Ridge fireworks are July 4 in Alvin K. Bissell Park. The Independence Day fireworks show is sponsored by the City of Oak Ridge, and it is expected to begin after dark at approximately 9:45 p.m. July 4.

The Oak Ridge Community Band, now in its 75th year, will perform prior to the fireworks. The concert is free, but donations are accepted by the band to help cover the cost of equipment and other expenses, a press release said. The music is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m. WMYL 96.7 Merle FM will be live following the band performance and will broadcast the soundtrack for the fireworks display, the press release said.

“Anyone planning to attend is advised to bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating,” the release said. “A safety zone will be established by the Oak Ridge Fire Department. Please sit only in the designated areas.”

[Read more…]

Oak Ridge Community Band begins summer season on Memorial Day

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Community Band is pictured above at the 2018 Labor Day Concert. (Photo courtesy Barbara Gritzner)

The Oak Ridge Community Band will begins its 75th season with the Memorial Day Concert on Monday, May 27. The concert is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. in A.K. Bissell Park at 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

“A special invitation is extended to area veterans and currently serving personnel in the U.S. Armed Forces to attend this concert for recognition and a salute to them for their service to our country,” a press release said.

There is no admission fee, but donations are gratefully appreciated to help offset band expenses, the press release said. You are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets for outdoor seating, and there is a paved area for wheelchairs, the press release said. A popular tradition at the Community Band summer concerts is Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab, which provides refreshments for the audience. [Read more…]

A.K. Bissell Park playground temporarily closed

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department has temporarily closed Alvin K. Bissell Park Playground due to a partially fallen tree nearby, the City of Oak Ridge said Thursday, April 18, 2019. (Photo by City of Oak Ridge)

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department has temporarily closed Alvin K. Bissell Park Playground due to a partially fallen tree nearby. The playground will remain closed until crews are able to safely remove the tree, a press release said.

Safety fencing has been installed around the playground, and signs have been posted to notify the public of the closure, the press release said.

“All residents and visitors should avoid the area until further notice,” the release said.

[Read more…]

Tree lighting ceremony set for Nov. 30

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

christmas-tree-bissell-park-2013

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department is teaming up with the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board to co-sponsor the Annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting. The ceremony is set for Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in A.K. Bissell Park. (Submitted file photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department is teaming up with the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board to co-sponsor the Annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting. The ceremony is set for Friday, November 30, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in A.K. Bissell Park.

Everyone is invited to the outdoor pavilion stage located behind the Oak Ridge Civic Center for holiday music and refreshments, a press release said. New this year, the entire program will take place outside in the park (weather permitting). Guests are encouraged to dress appropriately. In the event of rain, the first part of the program will take place in the Civic Center gymnasium. [Read more…]

Dedication ceremony for Friendship Bell Peace Pavilion is Thursday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The new Peace Pavilion for the Oak Ridge International Friendship Bell will be dedicated Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018, in A.K. Bissell Park. This architect’s rendering shows the large cantilever structure, crossed by a series of beams, that will support the Bell in its new location. (Image courtesy of demianwilburarchitects)

The new Peace Pavilion for the Oak Ridge International Friendship Bell will be dedicated Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018, in A.K. Bissell Park. This architect’s rendering shows the large cantilever structure, crossed by a series of beams, that will support the Bell in its new location. (Image courtesy of demianwilburarchitects)

 

The new Peace Pavilion for the Oak Ridge International Friendship Bell will be dedicated in a ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, September 20, at the bell’s new site in A.K. Bissell Park. The bell’s sound will resonate for the first time from its new location that evening, from a pavilion designed to project harmony, stability, innovation, and peace, a press release said.

“We would not be where we are today without the passion of Shigeko Uppuluri and her son, Ram Uppuluri, who initiated the project by connecting us with a visionary architect, Ziad Demian, who embraced not only the challenge of an innovative design but an entire city,” said Alan Tatum, who co-chaired the International Friendship Bell Citizens Advisory Committee with Pat Postma.

In the press release, Postma said that the architect’s first elegant and contemporary designs introduced a different way of thinking about what was possible for the new bell housing. That, and the decision to move the bell to a new location will make it more visible and accessible to the community, with added benefits of gardens and gathering spaces on benches around the bell, she said.

“This accomplishment and the fundraising it required was not just ambitious,” Postma said. “It was probably audacious, but Oak Ridge has a way of stepping up. Oak Ridgers are willing to support exceptional projects that speak for who we are as a city.” [Read more…]

Oak Ridge opens bidding for Preschool, Senior Center

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

A rendering of the new Oak Ridge Preschool at Scarboro Park. (Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge/Studio 4 Design)

A rendering of the new Oak Ridge Preschool at Scarboro Park. (Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge/Studio Four Design)

 

The City of Oak Ridge has opened the bidding period for two major projects: the new Oak Ridge Preschool with Scarboro Park improvements and the new Oak Ridge Senior Center. Interested parties must submit bids before the deadline early next month. Studio Four Design Inc. of Knoxville is the architectural firm chosen to design both buildings.

The new preschool will be a single-story facility of about 33,000 square feet on Carver Avenue. The build site is inside Scarboro Park, a roughly 10-acre parcel, a press release said. The project includes improvements to the adjacent park area such as lighted basketball/tennis courts, a baseball field, a public pavilion, green space, and a walking trail.

The current senior center is temporarily operating out of the Civic Center’s Recreation Building. The new senior center will be built next door, just to the west of the Recreation Center. The single-story, approximately 11,000 square foot facility will overlook part of A.K. Bissell Park. Plans include a large kitchen, craft and exercise rooms, billiards parlor, lounge, and other common space, the press release said. [Read more…]

Celebrate summer in the park with Community Band on Sunday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Community Band is pictured above at A.K. Bissell Park. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge Community Band is pictured above at A.K. Bissell Park. (Submitted photo)

 

Although Oak Ridge students returned to school this week, it is still officially summer, and you are invited to “come on down” to A.K. Bissell Park on Sunday evening, August 5, for the 7 p.m. “Summer” concert performed by the Oak Ridge Community Band. This is the third concert of the summer season, and if you missed the Memorial Day and July 4 concerts, make your plans now to hear the Community Band in Sunday evening’s performance, a press release said.

This is a free event and a great opportunity for family and friends to enjoy a casual evening in the park, the press release said. Bring chairs or blankets for outdoor seating. Refreshments will be available for sale.

This concert will have a variety of music featuring jazz, swing, show tunes, marches, and Broadway hits, the press release said. [Read more…]

Reminder: Fireworks are Wednesday at A.K. Bissell Park

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Fireworks at Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge on July 4, 2017. (File photo by D. Ray Smith)

Fireworks at Alvin K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge on July 4, 2017. (File photo by D. Ray Smith)

 

A reminder: The City of Oak Ridge is again sponsoring a fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day. The display will be held in A.K. Bissell Park on Wednesday, July 4, and is scheduled to begin at dark, around 9:45 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Community Band, now in its 74th year, will perform prior to the fireworks, a press release said. The concert is free, but donations are accepted by the band to help cover the cost of equipment and other expenses. The music is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Anyone planning to attend is advised to bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating, the press release said. A safety zone will be established by the Oak Ridge Fire Department. Please sit only in the designated areas, the press release said. [Read more…]

Egg Hunt is Saturday, March 24; volunteers needed

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Photo by City of Oak Ridge

Photo by City of Oak Ridge

 

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will host the 2018 Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 24, at 11 a.m. Hundreds of children and their families are expected to participate in this annual spring event, a press release said.

More than 15,000 candy and prize-filled eggs will be hidden in A.K. Bissell Park with a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prize egg in each age group, the press release said. This event will be held rain or shine, so participants should dress for the weather. If severe weather prevents hiding the eggs outdoors, they will be given away in the gym and prizes will be randomly distributed.

Families should arrive early and assemble in the Oak Ridge Civic Center gymnasium prior to 11 a.m. Participants will be divided into separate age groups and will be escorted to their respective hunt areas. The hunt is targeted for preschool-aged children (4 years old) up to fourth grade. [Read more…]

Manhattan Project public program: Oak Ridge past to present through A.K. Bissell Park on Saturday, Feb. 17

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

A bridge in Alvin K. Bissell Park in central Oak Ridge is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

A bridge in Alvin K. Bissell Park in central Oak Ridge is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

 

Join National Park Service staff for a walk and talk tour through Alvin K. Bissell Park on Saturday, February 17.

The Manhattan Project National Historical Park will present this free program starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 17, at the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge.

“During the program, we will discuss the different lifestyles and challenges that Oak Ridge residents faced during the project,” a press release said. “In this easy to moderate walk of about one mile, we will visit some historical structures and discuss how the town has changed and how it has stayed the same in the 75th anniversary of Oak Ridge. Visitors should be prepared for this walk with weather appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes.” [Read more…]