John Shearer: Exploring And Searching For Greenways, Part 25 – Unique Audubon Acres

It is hard for me to believe that in my previous 24 visits to greenways and parks within Hamilton County for stories, I have not yet highlighted either Audubon Acres or Reflection Riding.

 

Those are the two non-profit green spaces that have had their properties publicly accessible in some form for decades and in many ways set the admirable standard for preserving natural areas within the Chattanooga community.

 

Newer public places like the Tennessee Riverpark and Greenway Farm in Hixson have followed their leads in offering preserved waterfront green space in the valley areas.

 

Of course, some people – like me – hope a few other open spaces around the county are preserved as well before the community gets too developed.

Plans to add some current pastureland to the Collegedale park system have just been announced as one such place, bringing smiles to all of us local tree huggers and field frolickers.

 

Audubon Acres dates to the World War II era, when local naturalist, historian and writer Robert Sparks Walker founded the Chattanooga Audubon Society to preserve his family’s land that they had owned since 1873. 

 

I would love to learn the larger story of Audubon Acres’ preservation at the southern end of Gunbarrel Road in East Brainerd. But I understand some prominent Chattanoogans were involved, based on such names as Chapin and Patten donning places or sites on the property.

 

Mr. Walker, I also understand, enjoyed frequenting the property until his death in 1960. He is buried on site below a giant arrowhead-shaped tombstone.

 

I have also always wanted to know more about Mr. Walker’s 1931 book, “Torchlight to the Cherokees,” which is about the missionary outreach to the local Indians. I am especially interested in the story regarding its nomination for a Pulitzer Prize.

 

The non-profit Chattanooga Audubon Society also opens and operates Maclellan Island by downtown Chattanooga.

 

I had not been to Audubon Acres in years, although I cannot remember many details of my earlier visit, and I must say that I did not recognize much about it this time.  

 

Much like Reflection Riding at the northwestern foot of Lookout Mountain, you have to drive past some residences to get to it.

 

I had left my Northgate Mall area home about mid-morning Saturday and was surprised how quickly I zipped over there in my car after getting off on East Brainerd Road and turning right on Gunbarrel.

 

After paying my $5 senior-discounted visitor fee to the young woman in the nice visitor center by the parking area and after I was given some tips and a map, I walked across the railroad track to the 130 acres of largely wooded creekside land.

 

I could immediately tell that, while nice and very peaceful – especially for rapidly growing East Brainerd – it did not have quite the beauty of Reflection Riding, at least in my opinion. Reflection Riding is larger and has some simply stunning views of Lookout Mountain and across its larger fields.

 

But I appreciate any preserved area, and I was certainly going to appreciate it on this simply beautiful and adequately mild late winter morning. 

 

As I walked over to historic Spring Frog Cabin that sits in the middle of a couple of fields surrounded by woods, I saw some adults and children taking part in at least one special outdoor program a few dozen yards away.

 

Spring Frog Cabin, which had once sat closer to the railroad tracks but was moved in the 1970s due to vibration issues, was where Mr. Walker was born. 

 

Spring Frog was not a friend of the Muppets, of course, but a Cherokee naturalist for whom Mr. Walker named the cabin. He lived nearby, although officials do not know if he lived in that cabin.

 

After examining the two fields on either side of the cabin and Walker Hall and other structures, I walked on a trail along the railroad track toward South Chickamauga Creek, and, to my enjoyment, a train came along at a hustling gait. It was neat to watch it.

 

Within 100 yards or so, I reached part of South Chickamauga Creek and then began walking and eventually jogging along it. I must say I could not have told you exactly where South Chickamauga Creek was a year ago, but I keep running into it for these greenway stories.

 

We are now like Best Friends Forever.

 

For those of you wondering as well where South Chick is, you cross over it on Amnicola Highway near the Riverpark entrances as well as on Interstate 75 near Eastgate. It is also by Camp Jordan Park, the Brainerd Levee, and the Sterchi Farm trailhead.

 

The creek was fascinating to examine along a trail that hugged right up to it like a cat to its owner on the couch on a winter night. The wooded parts were interesting as well with partially faded signs pointing out the scientific and Cherokee names of the variety of hardwoods.

 

There did seem to be a lot of invasive privet and honeysuckle that probably needed to be thinned out, although the society might have special rules about that since it is a wildlife sanctuary. The trails were well maintained.

 

As I continued on the trail, I came upon the nice swinging bridge that crosses the creek, although it is currently closed for safety reasons. As a result, I could not examine a large part of the acreage, although I could see the handsome and steep wooded hillside across the creek from the bridge.

 

The Little Owl Village historic area is in the part I could not access, unless I wanted to get there in a pioneering manner my ancestors might have recognized, like canoeing or swimming.

 

Jogging gently except when I stopped to take pictures, I continued on the trail along the creek and next saw a nice-looking railroad bridge.

 

I realized one could not get lost here with the creek and railroad track. They are like inanimate rangers to help you or at least serve as your GPS navigator.

 

After coming back into the field areas by Spring Frog Cabin and Walker Hall, I took another jog around them, stopped by the restroom in the visitor center, and then climbed back in my car within an hour after my arrival.

 

While I would not say I was “wowed” with my visit, I had a great time and felt rejuvenated afterward, which is always the point of a greenway visit. And I don’t think I have grown weary of glancing at pretty South Chickamauga Creek yet. I also always enjoy seeing an old log cabin, even if just from the outside.

 

And I was most of all thankful this predominantly wooded area is preserved, and the signs were about the flora found on the acreage and were not zoning change proposal signs announcing an upcoming planning commission meeting.

 

Hats off to Mr. Walker and friends for preserving this nice acreage for future generations.

 

Now, if we could just preserve as well that nice field I saw outside the park by Davidson Road!

 

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To see the previous story in this series, read here:

https://www.chattanoogan.com/2021/2/22/423693/John-Shearer-Exploring-And-Searching.aspx

 

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Jcshearer2@comcast.net