Rick Wood, executive director of the local office of the Trust for Public Land, said $300,000 still needs to be raised to secure the full acquisition of 89 acres on Stringer's Ridge in North Chattanooga.
That is in addition to getting the full pledge from the city of Chattanooga, he said.
Mr. Wood said the Tennessee River Gorge Trust has agreed to be the holder of a 55-acre easement from owner Jimmy Hudson. Previouly, it had been planned for the Tennessee land Trust to hold the easement.
TPL acquired a 38-acre section a year ago.
"This is not only the viewshed from the Hunter Art Museum, but it is a downtown vantage point in which to view the entrance to the Tennessee River Gorge," said Jim Brown Executive Director of The River Gorge Trust.
Mr. Brown and Mr. Wood said the Tennessee River Gorge Trust and the Trust for Public Land "will continue to work with the City of Chattanooga and with local bicycle and hiking clubs to further develop and maintain the recreational trail system on the property."
Mr. Wood said, "We appreciate the work of the River Gorge Trust and Jimmy Hudson, president of Stringer’s Ridge, Inc., in securing the donation of the conservation easement and now we need to finish the job. TPL borrowed about $2 million to acquire the initial 38 acres next to the Stringer’s Ridge, Inc. property, and we've almost raised enough money to retire that loan, but we're still $300,000 short, in addition to the funding we need from the city of Chattanooga. As we start a new year, the Stringer’s Ridge, Inc. donation will give a huge momentum boost to our effort, and we look forward to the support and generosity of the people who love Stringer's Ridge to complete the job of protecting this special place."
Mr. Hudson said, “I encourage others to join me in providing the River Gorge Trust and the Trust for Public Land the resources, financial and otherwise, that will enable these organizations to make this property a lasting community asset.”