Rock City Gardens unveiled expansion plans at a press conference hosted by the Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Site preparation is currently underway on Phase 1 expected to be completed November 2005.
Structural changes to the property will allow visitors quicker access to the park, three trail options to customize their experience, increased regional food offerings and a new pavilion for larger group gatherings.
“Garnet Carter’s ingenious promotional idea of advertising on the sides of barn roofs all across the country is what made Rock City famous,” said Bill Chapin, president and CEO of Rock City, Inc. “What has kept Rock City in the forefront as a viable attraction is the experience that people get here. It’s our goal to continue to steward these unique natural resources in a way that will provide enjoyment for generations to come.”
Addressing the strategic plan, Mr. Chapin said that a visit to Rock City will begin at the newly created entry plaza, just north of the current entrance. The landscaped entry plaza will feature two fanciful period gatehouse structures where increased ticket sales windows allow visitors faster entry, plus dedicated customer service for annual pass holders and groups. Visitors will proceed through a ticket collection gate into a redesigned Rock City Gardens’ Gateway (formerly the entry plaza). Changes to this area include increased front porch style seating areas and a handcrafted stone and iron artisan enclosure across the current entryway at the street.
A water feature visible from inside and outside the park combines water and fire into a fascinating display. This becomes the focal point of the Gardens’ Gateway. Here visitors can enjoy Rock City’s famous homemade fudge, a variety of foods at the Big Rock Grill, and western merchandise at the Western Shop.
The creation of a new three-trail concept allows visitors the option to customize their experience at Rock City. We encourage visitors to see all Rock City has to offer by enjoying all three and returning to their favorite spots. A new trail, called Heritage Trail, will provide a two-way direct link between Gardens Gateway and Lover’s Leap. The Heritage Trail interprets the history of Rock City, taking guests through older trails not currently available to guests, past gardens, a new pavilion, and Carter Cliffs, the original home of founders Frieda and Garnet Carter. This direct route to the legendary view of Seven States will give access to those unable to walk the entire Enchanted Trail – and allows a return visit to Lover’s Leap for one last look at the view or to dine in the scenic surroundings before departure.
The first segment of the Enchanted Trail—the section that takes visitors from the entry to Lover’s Leap—comprises the Nature Trail. This trail delivers the core Rock City experience of amazing geology, beautiful horticulture, and spectacular views as it takes visitors from the Grand Corridor across the Swinging Bridge to Lover’s Leap.
The second segment of the Enchanted Trail takes visitors from Lover’s Leap through Fat Man’s Squeeze and on to Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village. The experience along this trail gradually changes from a nature experience near Lover’s Leap to a highly themed tunnel depicting children’s stories, before returning visitors to the Gardens’ Gateway.
A new and casual “Seven States” menu will be offered at Lover’s Leap where expanded seating and tables allow visitor to take in the legendary Seven States view and Taste Seven Styles with a menu featuring specialties from neighboring states, such as Tennessee Bar-B-Q and Georgia peach cobbler.
A new Special Events Pavilion features a stone fireplace and seating for groups of up to 300. This may be utilized for company outings, family reunions, school and scout groups and special entertainment functions. Rock City’s current Big Rock Grill has seating for up to 100. This pavilion will also host musical groups entertaining visitors to Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights during the holiday season.
“Any expansion and renovation to Rock City Gardens enhances Garnet and Frieda Carter’s original idea of preserving this unique geological and botanical wonder that is visited by people from every state in the union and almost every country in the world,” said Bill Chapin. As Rock City moves into its 73rd year of operation, it has become an icon of travel in America. Rock City's mission is to "Create Memories Worth Repeating." With its nostalgic history, as well as its continual expansion, Rock City has earned its reputation as a world-class destination and promises to be for generations to come.
Rock City is open daily for self-guided tours from 8:30 a.m. to dusk. Other features include the original Fairyland community fire station - Cornerstone Station, the remodeled Big Rock Grill, assorted gift shops and the ever-popular Fairyland Caverns and Mother Goose Village. In addition to Rock City Gardens, See Rock City, Inc., also owns and operates the Battles for Chattanooga Museum and Grandview Conference Center on Lookout Mountain, and Rock City’s Enchanted Cornfield Maze in Flintstone, Ga.