Water Tower Park Opens By Battle Academy

A three-year-long grassroots project has led to a completed pocket park in Chattanooga’s Southside.

Water Tower Park was dedicated at the Mainx24 event on Saturday.

The Cowart Place Neighborhood Association, in partnership with the Hamilton County Department of Education, was involved in setting up the park outside of Battle Academy School at 1601 S. Market St. The park size is 18,500 square feet.

The final round of funding needed was fulfilled at $45,000 by way of:

·      Benwood Foundation - $10,000
·      Hamilton County Commissioner Warren Mackey - $5,000
·      Hamilton County Commissioner Joe Graham - $5,000
·      Hamilton County Councilman Tim Boyd - $5,000
·      Lyndhurst Foundation - $20,000

The final round of funding was used to complete the chess pavilion, ping-pong table, and several graphic signs that depict the history of the area. The park now also has benches and lighting.

Community residents and businesses have contributed funds, materials and volunteer hours over the past three years to bring Water Tower Park to life.

“The list of people responsible for making this happen is extensive, and it was all done locally,” said Heidi Hefferlin southside business owner, and president of the Cowart Place Neighborhood Association. “We want to continue to see this side of town grow and flourish; it’s a great place to work, live and play.”

"The Cowart Place Neighborhood Association is setting a good example for the entire community by taking the time to coordinate resources and build this pocket park,” said Gary Waters, Hamilton County’s assistant superintendent for auxiliary services. “Building the park on school property, is a win for the school and the Southside residents.”

Officials said, "The water tower is an icon of Chattanooga's Southside neighborhood, representing a commitment to sustainable urban design and long-term, integrated planning and redevelopment. The water tower is the aboveground portion of a  comprehensive rainwater management system that collects, stores, and reuses rainwater. This system reduces flooding and loads on sewers while simultaneously providing landscape irrigation for the 17th Street corridor

"Standing 75 feet tall and 16 feet in diameter, this 105,000 gallon water tower was built by Chattanooga Tank and Boiler, winning the 2002 Tank of the Year ward from the Steel Plate Fabricators association."