Seven Islands State Birding Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seven Islands State Birding Park |
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Park entrance along Kelly Lane
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| Type | Tennessee State Park |
| Location | near Kodak in Knox County |
| Area | 425 acres (1.72 km2) |
| Created | September 2013 |
| Operated by | Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation |
| Open | Year Around |
| Website | Seven Islands State Birding Park |
Seven Islands State Birding Park is a special state park in Knox County, Tennessee. It's located east of Knoxville, close to Kodak, right along the French Broad River. This park was created especially for people who love watching birds! Its different grasslands and the river make a perfect home for more than 180 kinds of birds. The park officially opened on July 1, 2014.
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A Look Back: How the Park Began
For most of the 1900s, the land where the park now sits was a farm. The Kelly family owned and worked this farm. You can still see their name on the river bend and the main road leading to the park. Their old farmhouse is also still standing there.
People who wanted to protect nature slowly bought the land. They then gave it to the Knox County Parks and Recreation Department. This led to the creation of the Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge. Different groups helped manage the refuge over time.
Finally, on July 1, 2014, the refuge became Tennessee's 56th state park. The park's name, "Seven Islands," comes from a group of small islands and shallow areas in the river nearby.
Amazing Birds You Can See
Seven Islands State Birding Park is a fantastic place for birdwatching. Many different bird species live here or visit throughout the year.
Some of the colorful birds you might spot include purple martins, tree swallows, and common yellowthroats. You might also see yellow-breasted chats, summer tanagers, blue grosbeaks, and indigo buntings.
In winter, many types of sparrows are common. These include the field, Savannah, song, swamp, white-throated, and white-crowned sparrows. You might even see Barn owls in the old barns around the park. Water birds like Canada geese and mallards are also often seen near the river.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
While birdwatching is a main reason for the park, there are many other activities to enjoy:
- You can launch small canoes or kayaks from two different spots.
- There are about 8 miles (13 km) of trails perfect for hiking.
- You can also go biking on the trails.
- Fishing is allowed along the French Broad River.
Where to Find the Park
The park is located about 18 miles (29 km) east of Knoxville, Tennessee. It sits right along the beautiful French Broad River.
The park's address is 2809 Kelly Lane, Kodak, Tennessee 37764. You can easily get to the park from Interstate 40. Just take exit 402, which is Midway Road.
