The new Stringer's Ridge Park in North Chattanooga, with miles of walking trails and a dramatic view of downtown Chattanooga, is set to open in late October or early November, Sarah Quattrochi of the Tennessee River Gorge Trust told the Civitan Club on Friday.
Ms. Quattrochi said the River Gorge Trust got involved as the easement holder for the new city park despite the fact that it is not directly tied to the scenic gorge, where the trust has saved 17,000 acres of its 27,000 acres.
She said trust members have embraced the new park on several hills east of the Stringer's Ridge Tunnel and the trust is supplying about a hundred volunteers to help get the park ready.
Ms. Quattrochi said the park will eventually have three trailheads. One is near the tunnel behind the well-known Nicky's Restaurant. Another will be at the top of High Ridge Road, and a third is planned eventually off Spears Avenue closer to North Market Street.
She said a crew from Trail Dynamics in North Carolina has been machine cutting trails, including narrow trails for use by mountain bikers.
Volunteers are now coming several days a week to finish up the trail work.
The overlook with a view that takes in all four downtown bridges is near the High Ridge Road trailhead. A platform is to be built at the overlook.
Of the 10 miles of walking trails, four and a half are newly constructed.
She said volunteers are also working on eradicating evasive plants and installing native plants in their place.
The park includes 102 acres.
She said the Trust for Public Land raised $2.4 million to save the scenic and historic terrain after a developer sought to level the tops of the hills for condos.