News Summary
Knoxville is introducing the Shade While You Wait program, aimed at planting trees at bus stops to provide shade during the hot summer months. Spearheaded by Trees Knoxville and collaborating with local organizations, this initiative expects to enhance air quality and community aesthetics. With a goal to plant 1,000 trees by 2025, it promises to transform transit experiences. Meanwhile, the city is preparing for a cold snap and snowfall, prompting safety precautions and closures of libraries and senior centers as residents adjust to the winter conditions.
Knoxville’s Shade While You Wait Program is a Breath of Fresh Air!
In a city that faces the sweltering summer heat, Knoxville is rolling out its Shade While You Wait program to make your time at bus stops a lot more enjoyable. This exciting initiative, orchestrated by volunteers from Trees Knoxville, aims to plant a multitude of trees at bus stops across Knoxville. Who doesn’t appreciate a little shade while waiting for the bus?
Bringing Cool Comfort
Summer in Knoxville can be quite intense, and if you’re standing at a bus stop, you might find yourself squinting in the bright sunlight. But thanks to a collaboration with notable organizations like the Tennessee Valley Authority, the city’s Division of Urban Forestry, and Knoxville Area Transit (KAT), this initiative is set to add much-needed greenery to our beloved bus stops.
Melissa Hinten, who heads Trees Knoxville, points out that larger trees tend to establish themselves more quickly, resulting in higher survival rates. This means that not only will the trees provide shade almost immediately, but they will also be more likely to thrive in their new surroundings.
More Than Just Shade
You may think trees are just for looks, but they do wonders for our environment! Not only will these trees add a touch of beauty to bus stops, but they will also help improve air quality in our community. Isn’t it nice to think that a simple act of planting trees can lead to cleaner air for everyone?
As part of this ambitious program, Trees Knoxville has set an impressive goal of planting around 1,000 trees in the Knoxville community by the year 2025. That’s right—a whole lot of new trees to enjoy!
Bundle Up, It’s Cold Out There!
Early on this week, Knox County Engineering and Public Works crews got busy preparing the roads with a substantial amount of brine and salt—approximately 70,000 gallons of brine to be exact! They focused on ensuring priority roads, including arterial and emergency access roads, were safe for travel. However, residential roads were given lower priority in treatment.
Safety First!
Despite the light snow and some icy patches, the Knoxville Police Department reported no major disturbances on roadways. Still, residents are reminded to exercise caution when traveling, as unexpected areas of black ice may make conditions slippery overnight. If you’re out and about, take it easy!
For those needing warmth, overnight shelters have opened their doors, providing refuge for residents without adequate heating this winter. As snow continues to fall, many schools in East Tennessee have already opted to close, move to virtual learning, or delay start times due to weather conditions.
Libraries and Senior Centers Close
The wintry weather hasn’t been kind to Knoxville’s libraries and senior centers, which are also closed due to the conditions. As we wait for the temperatures to rise and the snow to melt—which, given the current forecast, isn’t happening anytime soon—let’s cherish the blooming trees and the positive impact they’ll have on our community.
To Sum It Up
Knoxville’s Shade While You Wait program not only promises cooler waits at bus stops but also takes a huge step towards creating a healthier environment. While the winter weather challenges us, the upcoming greenery will surely bring back joy in the coming months. So, stay warm, and look forward to the beautiful shade that will soon grace our transit stops!
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Additional Resources
- WBIR: KAT Planting Trees for Shade at Bus Stops
- Knox News: Knoxville Snow Live Updates
- WATE: East Tennessee Roads Closed Due to Flooding
- KCBD: Student Injured in Hit-and-Run at Bus Stop
- Google Search: Tree Planting Programs
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
