Farragut Outdoor Classroom

The Farragut Outdoor Classroom & Water Quality Demonstration Site is an interactive community space with two primary purposes that differentiate it from a traditional park setting. First, the space was created to demonstrate water quality best management practices that can be used to reduce and treat stormwater runoff. Second, the space was created to rally the community around a location to do projects that nurture a greater sense of civic engagement, community ownership and understanding of the natural world. 
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Are you a teacher that could benefit from use of the Outdoor Classroom during your next environmentally-related lesson?
   Are you interested in utilizing the Outdoor Classroom for a service or research project?

1. Please contact Stormwater Coordinator, Lori Saal (865-966-7057) to discuss project options, funding and space availability. (If you want to utilize the space, but are having a hard time thinking of an appropriate project, you can view a list of options here. We are happy to work with you to identify a project that will fit your needs and the space.)

2. Once you have discussed your project idea with Town staff, a formal project proposal should be submitted. Please complete and email the form.
 Current & Past Projects
We've had the pleasure of working with several organizations since the Outdoor Classroom opened in 2014.

Currently, we have citizens maintaining an edible garden that was started as part of a Girl Scout Silver Award project and has continued.

Additionally, Will Harry will be working towards earning his Eagle Scout ranking by constructing a 10x10 foot shed at the Outdoor Classroom. The shed will be a great addition and provide additional storage for gardening tools we would like to keep on site.

We have recently partnered with faculty and students from the University of Tennessee and Farragut High School to conduct research on the Classroom's rain garden.

We are currently exploring the possibility of having a pollinator garden and bee hive installed by members of a local girl scout troop! 
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Past Projects
Past projects are listed below. We are thrilled that we could provide these groups and individuals with the space needed to complete their exciting projects.

  • Weed removal and planting of cover crops in six planter beds - students from Concord Christrian School
  • Compost Bin - Boyscout Troop #444 - Eagle Scout Project - Dan Primka
  • ADA Planter Beds - Boyscout Troop #444 - Eagle Scout Project - Markos Kilbey
  • Seasonal Food - Girl Scout Cadette Troop 20369 & Girl Scout Brownie Troop 20896
  • Senior Water Quality Research Project - Farragut High School 
  • Native Warm Season Grasses - Farragut High School - Science Dept.
  • Seasonal Food / Flowers - Farragut High School - Horticulture Club
  • Artistic Cistern Project - Farragut High School & Curtis Glover Creative
  • Picnic Tables - Boyscout Troop #444 - Eagle Scout Project             - Sean Keough
  • Raised Bed Planters - Boyscout Tropp #444 - Eagle Scout Project - Joey Barnett
  • Raided Bed Planters - Boyscout Troop #444 - Eagle Scout Project - Spencer Flint
  • Rain Garden - Pellissippi State Community College
  • Rain Garden Sign - Greenway School

Special Thanks to Our Partners
A space like this could not occur without tremendous partner support, and we would like to thank the following organizations and individuals for their contributions to this project:
  • Girl Scout Cadette Troop 20369
  • Boy Scout Troop #444
  • Girl Scout Brownie Troop 20896
  • Concord Christian School
  • Pellissippi State Community College
  • Water Quality Forum
  • Tennessee Department of Agriculture 319(h) Non-Point Source Pollution Grant Program
  • Tennessee Stormwater Association, Green Development Grant
  • Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA)
  • Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association (TRPA)
  • Corporation for National And Community Service
  • Knoxville Community Action Committee (AmeriCorps)