Starting this Saturday, July 5th, the City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation department is offering canoe tours of the Tennessee River. Tours will put in at the Holston River Park and navigate down the Holston River to the Tennessee River and Downtown Knoxville.

This is a great opportunity for family fun on the river. Parks and Rec Aquatic staff will conduct the tours, and Ijams Park will provide nature guides.

All ages and skill levels can participate. All equipment is provided, including transportation to the put-in location. There is also a safety demonstration. Just bring a lunch in a waterproof container.

The cost is $20 per person and group rates are available. Tours will be held at 8 a.m. on Saturdays during the month of July. There are 16 canoes available for the tours. Reservations must be made by the Wednesday before the desired Saturday tour date by calling 311. More info at the city's website.

Press release after the jump...

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City Parks and Recreation to give canoe tours of the Tennessee River
The City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department will launch its new canoe program on Saturday, July 5, 2008 at 8 a.m.

Paddlers will tour the Holston and Tennessee Rivers, beginning in Holston River Park and traveling to downtown Knoxville.

Joe Walsh, Director of Knoxville Parks and Recreation, said this program is a great chance for families, couples, and adventure enthusiasts to see Knoxville at its best.

“We are fortunate to have such an extraordinary escape to nature that runs through our downtown,” said Walsh. “Now that we have the means to provide canoe tours to the general public, we want to give Knoxvillians an experience they will never forget.”

The Parks and Recreation Aquatics staff will be on each tour to help out with canoeing techniques and Ijams Nature Center is providing a nature guide for the program.

“Ijams Nature Center is proud to continue its longstanding partnership with the City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation,” said Paul James, Director of Ijams Nature Center.

James said Ijam’s Nature Center is partnering with the City for this program “to better serve area youth and provide new opportunities to experience Knoxville’s greatest of natural resources - the Tennessee River and other local waterways.”

All ages and skill levels are welcome to canoe, although participants must be able to swim. Paddlers are encouraged to bring lunch in a waterproof container for the canoe tour’s lunch break.

The tour includes life vests, paddles, transportation to the canoe put-in location, and a pre-trip safety demonstration. The City has 16 two-seater canoes available for reservation.

Tours will be held at 8 a.m. on Saturdays during the month of July. Reservations must be made by the Wednesday before the desired canoe date. Cost per person is $20. Group rates are available.

To make reservations, please call 311. Please visit Link... for more information.