We're on a mission to transform 9 historically neglected parks, addressing poor air quality and combating high urban heat island scores. Over the last few days, our parks teams have been planting native shrubs all around town.
Despite not securing a grant our department applied for, we turned this setback into an opportunity. We invited our staff to submit shrub installation designs for several small neighborhood parks. Several team members stepped up, leading 2-3 projects each. Through this hands-on experience, they're mastering project planning, material procurement, and scheduling under manager guidance, gaining crucial skills as managing supervisors. This unexpected twist of losing a grant has become a platform for invaluable growth and skill development across the board and a way to enhance several smaller parks.
In addition to planting, one park in particular, Piney Woods Park, is getting a mini facelift... creating a wider gravel trail down to the park, adding some picnic tables and benches, and upgrading the basketball goal, while patching the asphalt on the half court. All of this fits in nicely with our Parks and Outdoors Plan to "Fix" what we have. As we secure more funding, more and more projects will be underway!
News Notes!
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) selected our Champions Tennis Club as one of the nation’s 50 best sites. This designation was based on meeting and/or exceeding USTA standards of excellence in coaching, programming, facility, and customer service. Please help us congratulate Champions Club, Tennessee’s Premier Facility! Located at 3400 Lupton Drive (of Hixson Pike) where walk-ups are always free!
Just in....
Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors is being honored in this year’s Aquatics International Best of Aquatics issue! This contest recognizes what facilities do best, from programming and community outreach to lifeguard training and management. Congratulations to Peggy Grall, Aquatics Director, Elaine Adams with our Therapeutic Recreation, and Leah Eddy-Calvin Donaldson Elementary Special Education Teacher. Together, this great team taught several youth not only how to swim, but also qualified for the Special Olympics! Once the magazine is released, we will share it with all!
Congrats to our Fall photo contest winner, Chad Hutchenson who grabbed a picture of the sunrise, Fall colors, with his bike on the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway. Yep, that's Chattanooga. (If you have facebook, check out the top 5 winners.) Chad's photo is below the news notes.
Download our Fall/Winter Activity Guide! Have you had a chance to check it out? You can flip through it or download it here. Full of sports, events, adventure with Outdoor Chattanooga, and more!
LAST CHANCE!! Are you interested in joining the newly established Parks and Outdoors Advisory Commission? The intent is to bring learnings from each district to help us guide the Parks and Outdoors Plan with: -Park maintenance and planning. -Programming, fee structure, and how can we improve equity. -Help us reach donors, partners, new community leaders, and national certifications.
Adventure for ALL ages with Outdoor Chattanooga
Learn disc golf from a US Champion Join us at Walden's Ridge for National take a hike day What about a walk under the glow of the full beaver moon?
Or just letting your toddler get a little dirty with our guides?
And that is just the next two weeks. Check out the full calendar. Click on one that grabs your interest and register. Most are FREE!
Youth Basketball Sign Ups going on Now-Last Chance!
It's that time of the year again! Jon hundreds of youth, ages 3yo to 18yo for a 7 week league at Chattanooga's Community Centers. Boys and Girls are welcome, with co-ed teams from 3yo to 8yo. The best part...it is free. Stop by your local community center to sign up or call Richard West at 423-643-6055 to register. Below is a link to our registration forms to print out and take to a center. VOLUNTEER COACHES NEEDED. Call Richard for more info.
Free and ALL are welcome to join together for a Thanksgiving meal in the middle of Martin Luther King Blvd. There is no fee, no expectations, and no agenda — just an open invitation.
Miller Park to become a Festive Forest featuring 50 trees that will be decorated!
Thanks to the BBB, EPB and Community Support, you will have a chance to see Miller Park lit up like never before! We flip the switch on November 22nd at 5pm and will glow till New Years Day.
Join Park staff and Park Stewards and help plant numerous trees at Church Street Park at the base of Lookout Mtn! November 30th at 9am. All you need to bring is...you. This is also great for any volunteer hours you may need.
Can't make this one? Check out many ways to help volunteer with our parks, Outdoor Chattanooga and Recreation.
Holiday joy will fill downtown with "Reindeer on the Riverfront & Lighted Boat Parade" on Friday November 24th. Returning with even more food, artist and entertainment vendors!
FREE to attend and fun for the whole family with live reindeer and Santa on site for free pictures, hot cocoa bar, mini-train rides, fire pits, face painting/balloon animals, and holiday tunes followed by the annual Lighted Boat Parade and spectacular Fireworks presented by the Southern Belle & Erwin Marine Sales.
.jpg?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=Email%20Headers%20(12).jpg)
.jpg?upscale=true&width=320&upscale=true&name=image_6483441%20(3).jpg)
.jpg?upscale=true&width=320&upscale=true&name=image_6483441%20(4).jpg)
.jpg?upscale=true&width=320&upscale=true&name=image_6483441%20(2).jpg)
.png?upscale=true&width=598&upscale=true&name=download%20(6).png)
.jpg?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=October%20Fall%20%20Activities%20List%202023%20(7).jpg)
