Photo courtesy of Catie Lindelof
RUTLEDGE — A local mother and nurse is leading a grassroots effort to breathe new life into a long forgotten gem nestled behind the ball fields at Rutledge City Park.
Catie Lindelof, a Grainger County resident and cardiology nurse in Morristown, recently presented a proposal to the Rutledge Board of Mayor and Aldermen to reopen and revitalize the Grainger County Environmental Outdoor Classroom and its surrounding walking trails. The initiative, supported by friend Rachel Nelson and bolstered by community interest, aims to restore the overgrown paths and repurpose the classroom space for educational and recreational use.
“I am very passionate about taking my kids outside,” Lindelof said. “Nature is so important, and I want to show my kids God’s creations using their five senses. I am passionate about the movement called ‘1,000 Hours Outside,’ which aims to get people, especially children, outside for 1,000 hours each year.”
The outdoor classroom, originally designed for environmental education, sits at the south end of the park’s ball fields. Lindelof discovered the site during family visits to the park, where her children enjoy the playground. Her husband noticed the prominent sign marking the classroom, prompting the family to explore the trails.
Photo courtesy of Catie Lindelof
“The trails are in relatively good condition, just a bit overgrown and have some felled trees blocking the way,” Lindelof said. “I was impressed with the condition they’re in because they haven’t been officially maintained in many years.”
To gauge public interest, Lindelof posted a survey on Facebook. The response was overwhelming.
“There has been a hugely positive community response—we had nearly 300 people complete the survey posted to Facebook with nearly 100% of people saying they would go to Rutledge more frequently if there were walking trails available,” she said. “That would be a huge economic boost to our community.”
Many respondents shared fond memories of attending the Outdoor Classroom as children and expressed hope that future generations could enjoy the same experience. Others reminisced about past events like Halloween Haunted Forests held in the woods.
Photo courtesy of Krista Etter
Lindelof envisions the classroom as a versatile space for biology classes, local history presentations and community workshops on foraging and survival skills.
“It would be amazing if people could use it for high school or middle school biology classes to study the ecosystem and natural rock formations,” she said. “I am open to ideas about where this project goes because it is ultimately for the community.”
At the Oct. 9 BMA meeting, Lindelof presented her proposal to city leaders, who responded with encouragement and support. While funding remains a challenge, officials welcomed her initiative and offered helpful suggestions, including a proposal from Mayor Fred Speck Sykes to add a basketball court to further enhance the park’s appeal.
“It is understandable that the local government does not have funds to support a project like this,” Lindelof said. “I was happy to receive a go-ahead to come up with a plan and implement it.”
Photo courtesy of Catie Lindelof
Next steps include organizing a community cleanup to clear the trails and working with Krista Etter of the Grainger County Chamber of Commerce to apply for grants. Several local businesses have already expressed interest in donating or sponsoring the effort.
Lindelof’s passion for the outdoors is rooted in both personal experience and professional insight.
“I am a cardiology nurse in Morristown, and I know exercise is such an important thing for people’s health,” she said. “Walking outside has helped me deal with my own health issues, so it’s definitely something I’m passionate about. I want to pass healthy habits down to my children.”
Community members interested in supporting the initiative can participate in the survey linked on Lindelof’s Facebook page or reach out to offer help with cleanup efforts and letters of support for grant applications. While no formal fundraising is in place yet, Lindelof welcomes donations and ideas.
“The trails are open right now, so even if you go walk on them, feel free to clear off whatever you can in the moment,” she said. “Please send us feedback about what we can do with this project to better serve the community regarding these trails.”
Looking ahead, Lindelof hopes to see the park become a hub for seasonal events and traditions.