Two nature lovers, Harry and Alice Ijams, once bought 20 acres of land. They wanted a place to raise their family while being surrounded by what they loved: nature. Slowly, over the years, it grew to what is known today as the Ijams Nature Center. Although the land is no longer owned by the Ijams family, the center holds true to their vision and mission.
1. Hiking Trails
There are almost 15 miles of trails to hike at the center. If you’re a novice hiker, there’s no need to worry. They have trails for beginners, novices, and expert hikers alike. The majority of trails are natural, but if you need a more stable surface, they also have paved trails.
2. Paddle Boating and Kayaking
There’s plenty of water to explore at the nature center. The Tennessee River, Mead Quarry, and Toll Creek are all accessible from the nature park. You can rent paddle boats, kayaks, and canoes from the center to take on your water adventure. It’s important to note that the only boats allowed at the park are the ones for rent. And before heading out on the water, you’ll need to sign a waiver.
3. Primal Workouts
If you like working out and staying fit, the nature center offers a unique way to do it. If you’ve never heard of primal workouts, they’re exactly what they sound like. A primal workout is the kind of workout a caveman might have done if cavemen actually needed to workout. You’ll be lifting boulders, logs, and climbing natural formations, for example.
4. Programs
The nature center offers a variety of programs geared toward education and community. There’s a preschool for children 3-5, camps, and even e-learning programs for children who can’t make it to the nature center. The programs aren’t just from children however, there are lots of educational programs for adults as well.
5. Event Planning at the Ijams Nature Center
If you have an upcoming wedding, party, or reunion, you should consider letting the nature center host it. They have venues that are capable of handling formal occasions like weddings and smaller, less formal venues for childrens’ parties and the like. It’s also a good choice for office teambuilding events as well.
6. The Beauty
When the Ijams bought their parcel of land over a hundred years ago, they had no idea that it would grow to be one of the most prominent nature centers in the area. What they did know was that the beauty of nature was reformative and healing. The love that the Ijams had for nature and their community seems to permeate through the center to this day. It’s a beautiful place in terms of what you can see and feel.
If you’re in need of a recharge, there aren’t many better places than this nature center. It’s the perfect place to destress and have fun. After having a nice getaway at the park, get down to Rick McGill’s Airport Toyota and check out our stock.
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