For many families, spending time together outdoors is a cornerstone of shared life, a way to build lasting memories while connecting with the natural world. For one mother and her son, Robert, this priority took on an added dimension of intentionality and perseverance. Navigating the world with a wheelchair and a walker meant that outdoor excursions required forethought, research, and a willingness to adapt, but it never diminished their love for nature. Having recently relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, the family is reflecting on their years in Knoxville, Tennessee, where they forged their fondest memories across a variety of accessible parks, trails, and therapeutic programs.
Throughout Robert’s childhood in Knoxville, the outdoors was an everyday classroom and a playground. Armed with his Mountain Trike—an all-terrain wheelchair equipped with power-assist—Robert cruised happily down neighborhood streets toward the mud puddles bordering their community. Long walks with his mother served as fertile ground for exploration and conversation. Together, they watched the dogwoods bloom in the spring, listened to the rhythmic hum of cicadas in the summer, hunted for the first tree to change colors in the autumn, and celebrated the rare winter sighting of a red fox amid the chill.
As they turn the page on their chapter in Knoxville, they have shared a comprehensive look at the local outdoor spaces where accessibility exceeded their expectations, offering a blueprint for inclusive nature exploration in East Tennessee.
The Cove at Concord Park
Located in West Knoxville, The Cove is a prominent feature of the sprawling, 500-acre Concord Park. Owned and operated by Knox County Parks and Recreation, the destination features a paved waterfront trail, an accessible kayak launch, picnic tables, public restrooms, and a direct connection to more than two miles of nearby greenway trails.
For Robert and his mother, the primary draw of The Cove was its role as a hub for adaptive kayaking events hosted by local nonprofits and Catalyst Sports, an organization that provides specialized adaptive equipment for various disabilities. Thanks to adaptive coordinators and trained volunteers who assist with boat outfitting and safe transfers, participants with a wide range of physical needs are able to get on the water. For instance, specialized equipment allows individuals with single-hand mobility to paddle effectively. Robert and his mother frequently utilized a tandem kayak, paddling together to experience a shared sense of freedom of movement in an aquatic environment.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Bordering the eastern edge of Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is internationally renowned for its incredible wildlife diversity. While the mountains require a drive of an hour and a half or more from downtown Knoxville depending on the specific trailhead, the journey is considered essential for local nature enthusiasts. The family spent considerable time exploring the first two miles of the Little River Trail using Robert’s Mountain Trike, describing the trek as a serene wilderness experience well worth the travel time.
While park trail descriptions often point to the Elkmont Campground as the nearest accessible restroom, that facility is not open year-round. Instead, visitors frequently rely on the Sugarlands Visitor Center, where public restrooms feature properly equipped accessible stalls. In partnership with organizations like Catalyst Sports, the National Park Service has undertaken a multi-year initiative to enhance park accessibility. Visitors can now rent all-terrain wheelchairs and participate in seasonal, ranger-led programs tailored to the adaptive outdoor experience.
Seven Islands State Birding Park
Situated roughly 20 miles east of downtown Knoxville along the French Broad River, Seven Islands State Birding Park has established itself as a premier destination for wildlife observation since its opening in 2014. The park features the Bobwhite Accessible Trail, a paved pathway stretching approximately 0.9 miles from end to end.
Despite the relatively short length of the paved trail, the surrounding landscape offers a staggering diversity of flora and fauna. Visitors regularly encounter a vibrant Zinnia garden, spotted deer, and a fraction of the 220 bird species that inhabit the protected area. On one memorable occasion, the family participated in Monarch Tagging, observing the remarkable fall migration of Monarch Butterflies across the region. The sheer richness of the habitat often prompted them to linger, turning a short walk into an extended excursion. The park provides two large, accessible bathrooms located near the entrance of the Bobwhite Accessible Trailhead.
Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding (STAR)
For deeper, structured engagement with the outdoors and animals, the family turned to the Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding. Located 27 miles southwest of downtown Knoxville, STAR is a therapeutic riding program certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. The organization serves children and adults ranging from four to over 65 years old who live with physical, mental, and neurological disabilities, as well as individuals classified as at-risk.
Robert spent weekly time outside at the facility for more than three years, participating in equine groundwork, riding in the indoor and outdoor arenas, and learning general hippology. The program equipped him with valuable skills and independence, fostering a lifelong ambition to eventually own a horse and explore the trails on horseback. While the facility primarily serves local residents, it remains a cornerstone of adaptive recreation in the greater Knoxville region.
City of Knoxville Greenways and Playgrounds
Mirroring infrastructure investments across the United States, the City of Knoxville has developed and maintained more than 100 miles of paved greenway paths threading through urban neighborhoods and suburban enclaves. These routes offer reliable, level surfaces for walkers, strollers, and all-terrain wheelchairs alike. While parking lots at major greenway trailheads are typically paved, reliable public accessible restrooms can occasionally be scarce, prompting local families to plan their hydration and transit schedules accordingly.
Similarly, the city and surrounding municipalities offer playgrounds with notable accessibility features, even if fully inclusive spaces remain rare. Locations such as the Ashley Nicole Dream Playground, the Hank Rappé Playground, and the splash pad at McFee Park provide accessible parking infrastructure and public restrooms equipped with accessible stalls, allowing children of varying physical abilities to share in recreational spaces.
Reflecting on their years of exploration, the family emphasizes that finding accessible outdoor spaces rarely happens by chance. Every adventure requires initial research, a willingness to take calculated risks, and an acceptance that real-time adaptations to the environment are often necessary. From navigating unexpected trail conditions to relying on piggy-back rides when paths proved less accommodating than anticipated, these shared journeys ultimately cemented a lifelong bond between mother and son—and left behind a detailed roadmap for others seeking to experience the natural beauty of East Tennessee.
