Glow Walk on the Greenbelt

Celebrate National Trails Day with a Glow Walk on the Greenbelt

Kingsport’s Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a special Glow Walk event on June 1 in celebration of National Trail Days.

The Glow Walk will be held from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on June 1 at the Indian Drive Trailhead of the Kingsport Greenbelt (located behind PetSmart). The free event is open to families of all ages. Participants are asked to bring a flashlight or lantern, and glow necklaces will be provided.

Though the event is free, Kingsport Parks and Recreation officials are asking folks to register to know approximately how many people will be showing up.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/4dY7Fcu. You can also register by clicking on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or by going to www.kingsporttn.gov and clicking on the “CivicRec” link, then searching for “glow walk” in the search bar.

National Trails Day is an annual event held on the first Saturday in June and is sponsored by the American Hiking Society.

Each year, tens of thousands of hikers, bikers, paddlers, horseback riders, trail clubs, federal and local agencies, land trusts, and businesses come together on National Trails Day to advocate for, maintain, clean up and celebrate trails and nature.

Last year, nearly 800 events were held across the U.S., bringing people together for various recreational and volunteer opportunities. More than 7,000 trail stewards improved 558 miles of trails, contributing approximately $1.27 million in volunteer labor.

“From Borden Park to the Kingsport Greenbelt to Bays Mountain Park, Kingsport has trails for all ages and all abilities,” said Travis Sensabaugh, program administrator for Kingsport Parks and Recreation. “Even if it’s only for 20 minutes, we encourage you and your family to go outside this Saturday and participate in National Trails Day.”

You can also share your trail experience by tagging #NationalTrailsDay and @AmericanHiking on your social media channels.

About Kingsport Parks and Recreation

Kingsport Parks and Recreation is improving quality of life by offering essential services and recreation opportunities for the community of the City of Kingsport. They provide facilities, programs and recreational experiences that are available to residents and visitors. Kingsport Parks and Recreation makes sure community members have places to play, get fit and stay healthy, as well as opportunities to foster new relationships and forge a connection with nature. For more information, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.

About the City of Kingsport

Founded in 1917, the City of Kingsport (pop. 55,400) is located on the Tennessee-Virginia border at the crossroads of I-81 and I-26 near the geographic center of the eastern United States. The city is widely known as a planned community, designed by renowned city planner John Nolen and wrapping around the foot of Bays Mountain – a 3,750-acre park, nature preserve, planetarium and observatory. Kingsport is recognized as an International Safe Community by the National Safety Council, a Healthier Tennessee community, and won the 2009 Harvard Innovations in American Government Award for its higher education initiatives. While many city names are duplicated throughout the U.S., there’s only one Kingsport – a fact that invokes community pride, known locally as the “Kingsport Spirit.” For more information, please visit www.kingsporttn.gov.