Trust for Public Land

Although our year-long plans have been interrupted by the pandemic, we are proud to have successfully engaged in a series of outdoor events, educational activities and beautification plans around the three parks in the South Chattanooga community of Alton Park.

https://www.tpl.org/our-work/tennessee

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) and the City of Chattanooga joined forces in the mid-1990s to implement the Greenways Master Plan including 100 miles of trails and winding walkways that will become a nationally recognized greenway system.

Now that the Tennessee Riverwalk there are multiple expansion plans under development including a section that will touch Alton Park. It is part of the Tennessee Riverpark System featuring the Tennessee Riverpark, Coolidge Park, Renaissance Park, Ross’s Landing, the Walnut Street Bridge, the Blue Goose Hollow section and the old U.S. Pipe property, which is still awaiting its own development plan.

The Alton Park Connector project will convert a former CSX rail line into a 1.3-mile shared-use path to walk and bike to nearby shops, jobs, and the Tennessee Riverpark. Beginning at the entrance to the Tennessee Riverwalk at Middle Street, the rail line proceeds eastwardly and then southwardly, terminating at the new Southside Community Park.

​This project will provide park space to over 1,800 residents within a half mile but will also be used by residents of nearby communities like St. Elmo and South Chattanooga who will be able to bike and walk to downtown via this connector.

This project will be the first urban neighborhood connection to the 25-mile greenway system and will support transportation options for residents, including easy access to daily shopping and jobs located on South Broad corridor.

https://www.tpl.org/our-work/tennessee-riverwalk

The Trust for Public Land helps communities raise funds, conduct research and planning, acquire and protect land, design and renovate parks, playgrounds, trails, and gardens, and assist with public outreach and greenway advocacy groups.

VIEW THE “PUT THE PARK BACK IN ALTON PARK” PROJECT