Chattanooga City Council sees details of 'greener' city park

The concept of a neighborhood park built with environmentally sustainable elements such as a community garden and composting toilets eventually could become a standard in the city, officials said Tuesday.

The city’s Parks and Recreation Department showed City Council members the first foray into that type of park Tuesday during a Public Works Committee meeting with conceptual drawings of the new Jefferson Street Park.

“It could be what a true neighborhood park could be,” said Larry Zehnder, the city’s parks and recreation administrator.

The Parks and Recreation Department gave an update to the council, letting members see details of the “greener” park. The park is just off Main Street in the Southside neighborhood.

The park will have a community garden that neighborhood residents hope to start planting in April, Mr. Zehnder said. The park includes an amphitheater, walking trails, a playground, picnic tables and a wildlife and wetlands viewing area.

Six partners came together to pay the $541,000 for the project, Mr. Zehnder said.

Jeff Cannon, director of green/spaces, said his organization was investing money into the amphitheater, restrooms and pavilion. He said it could become a standard for other parks being built.

“We’re hoping so,” Mr. Cannon said.

In other news, Councilwoman Carol Berz told the council she would have several proposals for them next week regarding the city’s internal auditor position. Last April, the council discovered it was supposed to have its own internal auditor as laid out in the City Charter.

The City Council has not had its own auditor since its inception in 1990, and council members have wrangled for months on how to fulfill the charter.

Dr. Berz said she would have options for the council, as well as costs.

“You’ll have everything you’ll need to make a decision,” she said. “So make one.”