The Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Department will host “open-to-the-public” van tours of the Enterprise South Nature Park on Tuesday and Thursday, Jan. 13 and 15.

There will be tours at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. They will meet at the Highway 58 entrance which is located of Highway 58 between Hickory Valley Road and Central High School. There will be a large sign indicating the entrance.

The 2,800 acre Enterprise South Nature Park covers a large area of hilly wooded terrain, offers scenic views, and is home to many varieties of plants and wildlife. The immense property of close to 7,000 acres once housed the Volunteer Army Ammunitions Plant where over 100 million tons of TNT was produced and used in war times that included WW2, the Korean, and Vietnam Wars.

During the tour visitors will hear (and see) details about the history of the ammunitions plant, get a look at the 1,600 acres being prepared for the new Volkswagen Plant, and preview the preliminary work completed by Hamilton County for the park’s hiking and biking trails. According to the City’s Recreation Division tour leaders, the interesting thing about this tour is how it blends remnants of the past with current and future plans.

It is a particularly fun program for local seniors because many can remember the old plant and some people even worked there, officials said.

The park is not open right now, but is scheduled to be open to the public in the fall of 2009. It is the intention of both the city and the county to promote the natural and environmental stewardship of the Enterprise South Nature Park and offer it as a place to enjoy picnics, outdoor recreation, and programs for nature exploration. Monthly events and “open days” are introducing people to the area and providing opportunities to gain input on the kinds of activities and programs the public would enjoy.

Due to the size and scope of the park, the tours take about one hour and 15 minutes. There are opportunities for visitors to get out, walk, and use the new facilities that have been completed.

These tours are free and open to everyone but, pre-registration is required to insure adequate transportation and staff.

Organizations can bring participants in their vans or individuals can sign-up to go in City Parks and Recreation Department vans.

To make reservations and get more information call Rhonda Seeber at 643-6079.