Work on the trails at the new city park on Stringer's Ridge in North Chattanooga is 90 percent complete, Rick Wood of the Trust for Public Land said Tuesday.
Mr. Wood also said that work will begin soon on an overlook at the top of the scenic ridge. "It will really have a great view of the city," he said. A contractor will construct it - with work slated to start in 3-4 weeks.
There will be over 10 miles of trails at the park that includes some 100 acres and four hills to the east of the Stringer's Ridge Tunnel above the landmark Nikki's Restaurant. Mr. Wood said there will be some trails for mountain bikers and others for walkers and hikers.
He said volunteers built most of the trails, saving money for the city. "We really made our dollars stretch," he said.
Mr. Wood said, "This park will be a value in so many ways for the community. There are 25,000 people within two miles of its boundaries. Hopefully, many of them will use it on a daily or weekly basis."
He said the Tennessee River Gorge Trust will hold a permanent conservation easement on the park. "That way it will always be a conservation area and urban forest."
Mr. Wood said no grand opening date has yet been set and the park trails still remain closed to the public at this time.