photo by Will Malone
The new three-mile extension of the Tennessee Riverpark from downtown to the city’s Southside, near the foot of Lookout Mountain, is set to open Aug. 12 with a series of events.
The latest $16 million addition to the Riverwalk will open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and continue with a celebration the next day, Saturday, Aug. 13.
Having overcome an array of rights-of-way negotiations and pathway logistics, this new leg of the Riverpark helps to fulfill a promise to the people of Hamilton County made 30 years ago: a commitment to create a beautiful, linear pedestrian Riverpark of more than 13 uninterrupted miles - all the way from Chickamauga Dam to the city’s southern border, officials said.
“This latest extension will create hours of enjoyment for our residents and visitors as they stroll along the Riverwalk,” said County Mayor Jim Coppinger. “We deeply appreciate the efforts of the business community, foundations like Lyndhurst, Benwood, Cigna, BlueCross and BlueShield and private citizens who directed their contributions through the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, as well as volunteers who have worked so hard to complete the vision that began 30 years ago. Their dedication and commitment have made this possible and we humbly thank them for allowing more people to enjoy the natural beauty of Hamilton County.”
"The Riverwalk is a jewel of the city, enjoyed by countless Chattanoogans and visitors every day and all year long," said Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke. "Now, with the new three mile extension, we will open the Riverwalk up to more neighborhoods and communities, ensuring more of our citizens have the access and opportunity to enjoy this important amenity."
Among the new Riverwalk amenities are a wider paved trail (to 12 feet) and a lovely amphitheater and landscaped lawns below the west side terminus of Martin Luther King Boulevard at Riverside Drive. This is where the public is invited to gather on Aug. 12 for festivities that celebrate the Riverwalk and history of Blue Goose Hollow, home to Chattanooga’s heralded Bessie Smith who began singing for coins there as a young girl.
The segment now being unwrapped still leaves the difficult construction of a Broad Street crossing and a short half-mile connector to the Incline station.
Unlike the openness of the first 10 miles, which leads trekkers through wetlands and wooded stretches, the newest tract of the Riverwalk traverses a big chunk of the city’s industrial heritage. Winding through and around the borders of still active industries, as well as a few that are closed, the wide new addition goes where muscle and steel long meshed to produce hard-earned prosperity.
In one complex of plants, giant boilers manufactured for power plants were shipped out on huge barges at the river’s edge to global destinations. The huge crane for that work remains. Elsewhere, foundries, steel plants and metal works built huge pipes, myriad industrial parts, and jobs for more thousands of workers who found steady employment through much of the region’s history.
The freshly landscaped Riverpark defines an industrial experience on one side, and on the other vibrant green spaces and pavilions, public art and river and mountain views, officials said.
Along its path, walkers, runners, bicyclists and skaters will also see evidence of the Southside's burgeoning renaissance and a new residential boom. Since local leaders committed in 2012 to build this Riverpark segment, builders have invested more than $220 million in new residential units, sprouting waves of condos, apartments and new businesses.
Officials said, "It’s no surprise that the popular Riverpark continues to be an economic driver for the city. Since its inception 30 years ago, total investment in the Riverpark has amounted to $150 million, mostly through federal, state and private grants. That sounds like a large figure, but in reality it’s a small fraction of the private investment and job growth it has helped spawn to bolster the region’s latest renaissance."
Bob Doak, president and chief executive officer, Chattanooga Convention and Visitors Bureau, said, “It’s been exciting to see the incredible transformation of the riverfront and how the Riverwalk has become such an integral part of the community. This expansion provides even more opportunities for walking, biking, relaxing and learning about the city’s history. It also adds to the authentic experiences and quality of life that Chattanooga offers locals and visitors alike. The latest tourism statistics show that visitors spent more than $1 billion in Hamilton County which supports 8,500 full-time jobs in the tourism industry.”
“The Riverpark is one of Chattanooga’s crown jewels, and we share its story with every company we meet with,” said Charles Wood, vice pPresident of Economic Development for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. “It is a testament to Chattanooga’s legacy of City, County and the private sector working together to advance our community.”
Since opening, Chattanooga’s linear park has been recognized as one of the best in the nation. CNN Travel named the Riverpark among the World’s 10 Best City Running Trails and Thrillist.com placed the Riverpark among their list of 10 of America’s Coolest Urban Running Trails.
“One of my favorite things to do at home in Chattanooga is to ride bikes with my wife along the Riverwalk,” said Senator Bob Corker. “This expansion is a major enhancement, and I couldn't be more proud that our city continues to embrace and highlight the God-given amenities that exist throughout our community.”
Schedule of Riverpark Events
Friday, August 12 – Blue Goose Hollow Trail head
9:45 AM – Music by deaconbluz and the river city all stars, one of the few remaining Blues bands in the Southeast who play traditional Blues dance music. The band, composed of professional musicians, has been performing since 1997 under the direction of Clark “deacon bluz” White, (B.A., M.A., Ph.D.). An organic public intellectual bluesologist, he is currently directing Blues Chattanooga: Center for Blues Studies.
10:30 AM – Program with local officials emceed by Claude Ramsey, former County Mayor and long-time supporter of the Riverpark Master Plan
11:00 AM – Ribbon Cutting Celebration followed by more entertainment and an opportunity to try out the new Tennessee Riverpark App that conveys the rich history that exists within the Riverpark corridor.
5:00PM – 8:00PM – Party on the Patio at Springhill Suites near the Blue Goose Hollow trail head with happy hour entertainment by deaconbluz and the river city all stars.
Saturday, August 13 – South Broad Trail Head
All day: Take a stroll with technology. Download the new interactive Tennessee Riverpark app and discover rich history through interactive maps, videos and augmented reality, or search for Pokemon lures.
9:00 AM – noon: Enjoy street performers, refreshments and a free concert featuring Highbeams, a trio of brothers that play emotive, high energy Folk Rock. This band has captured audiences all over the Southeast with their warm, personable stage presence and rich three-part harmonies. Stop by the hospitality tent to register for hourly prize drawings. Kids are invited to make fish mosaics to adorn columns like the ones that can be seen in other Riverwalk sections.
Mid-Day: Visit nearby businesses who are offering specials throughout the day. Information can be found at the hospitality tent.
5:00 – 8:00 PM: Enjoy street performers, refreshments and a free concert featuring Highbeams. Stop by the hospitality tent to register for hourly prize drawings.
Saturday, August 13 – Blue Goose Hollow Trail Head
All day: Take a stroll with technology. Download the new Tennessee Riverpark app and discover rich history through interactive maps, videos and augmented reality, or search for Pokemon lures.
8:00 – 10:00AM: Join BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee fitness pros for tips on warming up before you head out to experience the new Riverwalk. Formal sessions at 8AM, 8:30AM, 9AM. All participants will be rewarded with free reusable water bottles, stretching tip cards and more.
9:00 AM – noon: Enjoy street performers, refreshments and music by singer, songwriter Ben Durham. His influences include the blues styling of Howling Wolf and Robert Johnson as well as the folk styling of Bob Dylan and Neil Young. Kids are invited to make fish mosaics to adorn columns like the ones that can be seen in other Riverwalk sections.
5:00 – 8:00 PM: Enjoy street performers, refreshments and a free concert by Rick Rushing & the Blues Strangers, a Chattanooga based trio that harnesses the key elements of Blues, Jazz, Rock and Rhythm.
Enjoy original music that stretches into the musical genius of Jimi Hendrix, Ray Charles and the Cure. On the Cameron Harbor River Terrace, enjoy music by folk singer and Voice finalist Amber Carrington. Guided tours of the community will also be available.
-The Riverpark Amphitheater will bear its largely forgotten name — Blue Goose Hollow, a community of small houses for African-American workers to live close to their jobs. Chattanooga’s heralded Bessie Smith, later known as the nation’s Queen of the Blues, began singing for coins there as a young girl, well before Blue Goose Hollow was razed in the post- WWII rush to urbanize the City’s west side.
-Two large, significant pieces of art by internationally renowned sculptor Albert Paley, financed by private funding to Public Art Chattanooga, will be installed there later this year, along with three other works of art.
-When the last short segment of the Riverpark is finished, it also will lead to a trailhead with access to the network of trails — some 93 miles — along the flanks of Lookout Mountain’s Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park lands.
The new Tennessee Riverpark Mobile App is now available for iTunes and Android. The mobile application utilizes modern technology to enhance the historic and educational interpretative opportunities along the Tennessee Riverpark.
Users can experience interactive maps, videos and augmented reality. And, they will enjoy learning more about Chattanooga’s industrial history, the Civil War and the birthplace of Bessie Smith.