As the dogwood blooms unfurl in a matter of days and Dogwood Arts kicks off its annual celebration, there will be a new scenic trail to traverse in West Knoxville. The beauty of the West Hills neighborhood will be on display with more than eight miles of blooms to enjoy along the route. It is the first new Dogwood Trail to be added in more than 20 years, according to Dogwood Arts.
Developed in the 1950s, West Hills consists mostly of mid-century modern ranch-style homes. The West Hills Community Association has been working toward being recognized with trail status since 2016. Homeowners have planted dogwoods and nurtured blooming gardens, and worked together to get the whole community involved. The trail begins at 100 Wesley Road; once there, just follow the stripes in the road.
Of course, the West Hills trail is only one of 13 trails around Knoxville, and one of them is bound to be near you. Click here to get the full list.
Here’s what else is included in this month’s Dogwood Arts celebration:
- Chalk Walk kicks off the festivities on April 2 along the sidewalks downtown. Chalk Walk features over 150 artists and collaborative teams working on-site from 8 am-5 pm to complete their artwork.
- On April 9 and 10, three lush local gardens will be open for tours. The event is free though a $5 donation per garden is suggested. Tours are self-guided, and parking is limited; guests will be admitted on a first-come-first-served basis. The three gardens are GATOP (God’s Answer To Our Prayers) at 2705 Riverside Drive; Derryname, 7209 Rutgers Drive; and Edenwood, 930 Bream Dr. More info here.
- The Dogwood Arts Festival, which brings together local makers and shoppers eager to browse their wares, will be April 22-24 this year at the Performance Lawn at World’s Fair Park. Art vendors included work in a wide range of media, including pottery, painting, glass, photography, jewelry, sculpture, and more. Find more info here.
For more info about other year-long Dogwood Arts initiatives, click here.