Walden Mayor Bill Trohanis said, “The public is invited to enjoy the McCoy Farm for a Memorial Day Picnic on Monday, May 25, as we open the park for a community picnic.”
Hours for the picnic are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at 1715 Anderson Pike across from St Augustine. Admission is free. Parking is available directly across the street at St. Augustine Church, and limited parking on Taft Highway at the Animal Hospital of Signal Mountain.
Activities will include performances by the Mountain Cove Bluegrass Band, student performances, live and silent auctions, face painting, and other children’s activities. Food will be available for purchase, prepared by the Signal Mountain Lions Club. Please bring a blanket or folding chair to enjoy the day on the grounds.
The flag will be posted at 11 a.m. by the Navy Sea Cadets, followed by a moment of silence and words by Mayor Trohanis. The McCoy property is to open to the public for the first time in several years to showcase volunteer efforts to restore the property while sharing potential uses for the venue. According to Mickey Robbins, co-chair of the Citizens Committee, “There will be the opportunity to join the volunteer effort (both physically and financially), who have worked to restore the farm after years of overgrowth.”
There will also be a performance by Dulcimers and Accompaniment in the Party House Pavilion,There are planned tours through the house provided by the Walden’s Ridge Guild and the Chattanooga Historical Association, with plenty of opportunity to explore the grounds. And, the new WRES Fire Engine will be there on display.
The picnic will be cancelled in the event of rain.
“The park will be open limited hours through the summer,” said Susan Snow, co-chair of the Citizens Committee. “In 2004 the McCoy home and outbuildings were given to the Town of Walden by Mrs. Martha McCoy, daughter of Senator Nathan Bachman, and the remaining 30 acres were purchased by the Town,” according to Karen Stone, Chair of the History Sub-committee. “The 38 acres holding the house, pavilion, gardens, orchard, and trails is becoming a public park. We are in the process of developing a plan for anticipated uses after the Memorial Day picnic. We hope that these uses may include community, social, family, and corporate events including festivals, hiking, picnics, music, art, and weddings. A lot of these plans will depend on community support. We are excited about bringing life back to this historic property,” said Alderman Lee Davis.
Further information is available through Leo Brown, media coordinator, at leobrown@cnsvc.com or 423 362-6890 or though www.mccoywalden.org or www.waldentn.gov.