Many parks in Hamilton County also feature playgrounds, and several cities have built large community playgrounds with multiple structures, including slides, swings, climbing rails, wooden forts and mazes. Among these are:
* Imagination Station in Collegedale (423-396-3135, ext. 11)
* Mountain Maze on Lookout Mountain (423-821-6212).
* Kids' Corner in Red Bank (423-877-1103).
* Pioneer Frontier in East Ridge (423-867-6406).
* Pumpkin Patch Playground in Walden (423-551-8316).
* Scramble Alley in Soddy-Daisy (423-332-5323).
Hamilton County is also home to 36 elementary schools whose playgrounds are generally available for after-school, weekend and summer visits. See the list at hcde.org.
The city of Chattanooga operates 14 Youth and Family Development community centers equipped with outdoor spaces that include playgrounds, sports fields and walking trails. Find out more at chattanooga.gov/youthandfamily/youth-family-development-centers.
Chattanooga and Hamilton County are known for their green spaces and places for people to play. The following list will help you make a choice on which parks to explore in the city, suburbs and county.
For information or to reserve any park managed by Hamilton County, call 423-842-0177. For information or to reserve any park managed by Chattanooga, call 311 or 423-643-6311. Numbers for parks that don't fall under the county or city are included in the listing.
Hamilton County
* Chester Frost Park
2318 N. Gold Point Circle
Hixson
Features nine fishing piers, two boat ramps, 200 campsites, swimming area with sand beach, sand volleyball court, tennis court, picnic tables, playgrounds.
Tennessee Riverpark & Riverwalk
4301 Amnicola Highway
Chattanooga
Stretches 13 miles along the Tennessee River from Chickamauga Dam to downtown Chattanooga. The landscaped and lighted concrete trail features artwork as mile markers so walkers and bicycle riders can gauge their progress. Includes two boat ramps, six fishing piers (five covered and three handicap accessible), picnic tables, shelters and playgrounds.
* Enterprise South Nature Park
Volkswagen Drive, off Interstate 75 North near Ooltewah
2,800 wooded acres with miles of walking paths, bicycle paths and off-road biking trails, areas for picnics and a small lake.
* Vandergriff Park
1414 Gadd Road
Hixson
423-843-9192
* Harrison Recreation League
5637 Highway 58
Harrison
423-344-3314
* Redoubt Park
6900 Bonny Oaks Drive
Soccer complex
Signal Mountain, Red Bank
* Shackleford Ridge Park
Sam Powell Drive
Signal Mountain (managed Hamilton County)
227 acres, lighted baseball and soccer fields, three-mile woodland trail, pavilion.
* Mountain Creek Park
1102 Mountain Creek Road, at base of Signal Mountain (managed by Chattanooga)
Walking trail
* White Oak Park
2 Midvale Avenue East, Red Bank
423-877-1103, ext. 2
Playground, picnic pavilion, dog park
* Falling Water Falls Natural Recreation Area
132-acre natural area, 110-foot waterfall, cave, trail. Access on Forest Park Drive and Levi Road, Signal Mountain.
423-886-4362
Downtown Chattanooga, Southside
For information or to reserve any park managed by Chattanooga, call 311 or 423-643-6311.
* Main Terrain Art Park
On Broad Street between Main and 13th streets.
Part art park, part fitness center and part stormwater retention pond, the outdoor attraction is encircled by a walkway with five exercise stations and three large interactive sculptures in the middle that mimic the shape of the Walnut Street Bridge.
* Aquarium Plaza and The Passage Riverfront
1 Broad St.
Restrooms, drinking fountains.
* The Block
200 Broad St.
A 2,800 square foot climbing and bouldering gym with a 11,000 square foot public art piece and 5,000 square feet of functional climbing space on the face of the building; also contains Kidz Zone, a kid's only climbing gym.
423-643-6311
* Ross's Landing Park
100 Riverfront Parkway
Across from the Tennessee Aquarium
River pier, marina, natural amphitheater, playground.
* Miller Park
928 Market St.
Benches, fountain and greenspace.
* Chattanooga Chew Chew Canine Park
1801 Carter St.
Dog park
423-757-2076
* Chattown Skatepark
1801 Carter St.
Skatepark with ramps for roller bladers, skateboards and BMX bike riders, hockey rink with scoreboard, bleachers and pro shop, restrooms, pavilion and drinking fountain.
423-757-2076
* Jefferson Street Park
1800 Jefferson St.
Playground, pavilion.
* Park Place Park/Thomas Benton Park
1003 E. 10th St.
Playground, restrooms.
* Shelia M. Jennings Westside Park
1200 Grove St.
Walking trail, playground, pavilion, recreation center with gym.
North Chattanooga
* Coolidge Park
150 River St.
Antique carousel, pavilion, interactive play fountain, climbing wall, picnic areas.
* Renaissance Park
100 Manufacturers Road
North Shore adjacent to Coolidge Park
Trails, picnic area, overlooks, hills for sliding.
* Stringer's Ridge
Accessible from trailheads at Spears Avenue, Bell Avenue and Highridge Drive.
The city's newest park is a 92-acre urban wilderness park located in North Chattanooga. The ridge overlooks the Tennessee River and can be viewed clearly from the downtown waterfront. Hiking and mountain bike trails ranging in difficulty from beginner, family friendly to intermediate level.
* North Chattanooga Park
406 May St.
Ballfields, recreation center, indoor gym.
* Rivermont Park
1096 Lupton Drive
Picnic pavilions, shelters, a walking trail, tennis courts, boat ramp, four ballfields, tennis complex, handicap-accessible playground.
* Riverview Park
1000 Barton Ave.
Outdoor amphitheater, playground, two tennis courts, picnic tables, grills.
* Hill City Park
18 Trewhitt St.
Playground
* Maclellan Island
Tennessee River below Veterans Bridge
Enclosed shelter, picnic area, observation platform, boat dock.
423-892-1499
* Riverview Bird Sanctuary
1621 Riverview Road
Neighborhood green space.
Brainerd, Tyner, East Brainerd, East Ridge
* Enterprise South Nature Park
8015 Volkswagen Drive
423-893-3500
Historical exhibits, picnic areas, four miles of hiking trails, 10 miles of mountain bike trails, five miles of paved walking and bike roads, handicap-accessible trail.
* Batter's Place
8011 Batters Place Drive
East Brainerd (managed by Chattanooga)
Ballfields, tennis courts, dugouts, concession stand, restrooms, water fountains, clubhouse/locker room, press box.
* Benham Williams Park
405 Williams Drive
Hixson (managed by Chattanooga)
Playground, park pavilions.
* Brainerd Park
1010 N. Moore Road
Brainerd (managed by Chattanooga)
Tennis courts, recreation center, indoor basketball court, computer lab, game room, indoor heated pool, community rooms.
* Camp Jordan
Camp Jordan Parkway, East Ridge
Picnic pavilion, 13 baseball fields, nine soccer fields, amphitheater, sand volleyball court, fishing pond, child play area, two-mile walking track.
423-490-0078
* Heritage Park
1428 Jenkins Road
East Brainerd, (managed by Chattanooga)
This 22-acre park features a 3,200-foot walking track, picnic tables and grills, and a bocce ball court, as well as two creeks and acres of meadows. Its off-leash dog park is by paid membership ($25 annually) through McKamey Animal Center (423-305-6502).
* Shepherd Park
2124 Shepherd Road
East Brainerd (managed by Chattanooga)
Ballfield, outdoor pavilion with stage, outdoor volleyball court, playground, recreation center with reading center, computer lab, full-size gym.
* Standifer Gap Park
8327 Standifer Gap Road
423-842-0177
Football field, baseball fields, sand volleyball court, eight lighted tennis courts, half-mile asphalt walking track, playground.
* Audubon Acres
900 N. Sanctuary Road
423-892-1499
Visitor center, picnic area, field, four miles of hiking and walking trails.
$4 admission fee.
* Lookout Mountain/Lookout Valley
Chattanooga Arboretum & Nature Center
400 Garden Road
423-821-1160
Animal exhibits, canoe rental and launch, boardwalk, hiking and horse trails, visitor center. $8 admission fee.
* Point Park
The end of East Brow Road, Lookout Mountain
423-821-7786
Monuments, historical markers, trails, scenic views, visitor center. $3 entry fee.
* Lookout Valley Park/Warren Park
370 Warren Place
Lookout Valley (managed by Chattanooga)
Playground, ballfields, restrooms and drinking fountains.
* John A. Patten Park
3202 Kelly's Ferry Road
Lookout Valley (managed by Chattanooga)
Ballfields, recreation center, playground, walking trail.
* Tacoa Park
5205 Tacoa Circle
Brainerd (managed by Chattanooga)
Walking trail, playground, pavilion
Ooltewah, Apison, Collegedale
* Summit of Softball Complex
8646 La Collina Way
423-643-6079
The 83-acre park with eight softball fields, hospitality areas, walking trail.
* Apison Community Park
11206 Old East Brainerd Road
Apison (managed by Hamilton County)
Picnic shelter, walking tracks, tennis/basketball court, dog park, horseshoe pit.
* Wolftever Creek Greenway
West trailhead at Collegedale City Hall, 4910 Swinyar Drive; east trailhead at 9408 Apison Pike.
Collegedale
423-468-1935
Offers a two-mile paved trail, restrooms, playground, two picnic tables, handicap access. Passes through Veterans Memorial Park (see listing below).
* Veterans Memorial Park
9300 block of Apison Pike
Collegedale
423-468-1935
Accessible only by foot, the 2-acre park is along the greenway path across the street from the Collegedale Public Library. Plaques, monuments and a timeline of conflicts pay tribute to veterans. An M48 Patton tank and a Cobra attack helicopter are on display.
Hixson, Harrison, North Hamilton County
* DuPont Park
4500 North Access Road
Hixson (managed by Hamilton County)
North River Soccer Complex, disc golf course, concessions building, playground, restrooms, picnic pavilions, drinking fountains.
* Greenway Farm
5051 Gann Store Road
Hixson (managed by Chattanooga)
220-acre site runs along North Chickamauga Creek and features clubhouse, nature trail, biking trails, scenic views, dog park, restrooms. North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy offers canoes and kayaks for rent
* South Chickamauga Creek Greenway
2900 Harrison Pike
East Chattanooga (managed by Chattanooga)
Paved trail that runs for 4.25 miles along South Chickamauga Creek.
* Middle Valley County Park
1900 E. Crabtree Road
Hixson (managed by Hamilton County)
Lighted tennis courts, football field, five baseball fields, four soccer fields, picnic shelters.
Soddy-Daisy
For information or to reserve any park managed by Soddy-Daisy, call 423-332-5323.
* Kids Park
150 Depot St.
Basketball court, tennis court, playground, walking track, clay horseshoe court, lighted ballfields.
* Veterans Park
9000 block of Dayton Pike
Walking track, pavilion, war memorial, gazebo, restrooms, lighted ballfields.
* Scramble Alley Park
9835 Dayton Pike
Wood climbing maze for kids, picnic tables, pavilion, restrooms. Replica of historic Poe's Tavern is adjacent, with picnic tables and space for community events.
* Holly Park
11606 Holly Circle
Boat ramp, picnic tables, restrooms.
* Mowbray Community Park
1709 Mowbray Pike (managed by Hamilton County)
Picnic shelters, restrooms, tennis courts, asphalt walking track, softball field, outdoor basketball court, playground, grills.
Harrison, Tyner, Bonny Oaks
* Harrison Bay State Park
8411 Harrison Bay Road
423-344-6214
Campsites, swimming pool, boat ramps, hiking and mountain bike trails, fishing, golf course, picnic area, volleyball, tennis courts, horseshoe pit.
* Booker T. Washington State Park
5801 Champion Road
Harrison
423-894-4955
Boat ramps, swimming pool, playgrounds, volleyball, horseshoe pit, group lodge.
* Meadowview Park
11201 Meadowview Road
Harrison (managed by Hamilton County)
Basketball court, horseshoe pits, half-mile asphalt walking track, two softball fields, playground equipment.
* Lake Hills Park
4395 Bellview Ave.
Bonny Oaks (managed by Chattanooga)
Picnic tables, half-mile walking trail, park benches.
* Lakeside Park
4800 Swan Road
Tyner (managed by Chattanooga)
Tennis courts, ballfields.
* Tyner Park/East Brainerd Park
6900 Ty-Hi Drive
Tyner (managed by Chattanooga)
Ballfields, recreation center with full-size gym, game room.
* Washington Hills Park
4620 Oakwood Drive
Tyner (managed by Chattanooga)
Football field, softball field, playground, recreation center with full-size gym.
Alton Park, St. Elmo, East Lake, Clifton Hills, South Chattanooga
Unless noted, all parks managed by Chattanooga, 311 or 423-643-6311.
* Ben Miller Park
1151 W. 40th St.
Alton Park
Community building, tennis courts, sand volleyball, restrooms, picnic tables.
* Caruthers Park
3300 Brannon Ave.
East Lake
Shaded walking trail, playground, ballfield, picnic area.
* Church Street Park
3813 Church St.
Alton Park
Swing set, horseshoes.
* East Lake Park
3000 E. 34th St.
East Lake
Scenic pond (no fishing), playground, tennis courts, picnic pavilion, amphitheater, senior adult building.
* East Lake Recreation Complex
3610 Dodds Ave.
East Lake
Ballfields, football field, playground, tennis courts, recreation center.
* Harris Johnson Park
41 W. 28th St.
Alton Park
Picnic area, playground, walking trail.
* Park City Park
2606 Cannon Ave.
Clifton Hills
Playground.
* Pringle Park
2613 Long St.
Alton Park
Playground.
* South Chattanooga Park
1151 W. 40th St.
South Chattanooga
Outdoor walking track, tennis courts, ballfields, full-size gym, indoor pool, dance studio.
East Chattanooga
Unless noted, all parks managed by Chattanooga, 311 or 423-643-6311.
* Warner Park
1254 E. Third St.
423-697-1385
Chattanooga Zoo (admission required), softball complex, swimming pool, Spray & Play water park, picnic tables, fitness center.
* Carver Park
600 N. Orchard Knob Ave.
Walking track, park benches, playground, ballfields, outdoor pools, disc golf course, recreation center.
* East Chattanooga Park
2409 Dodson Ave.
Softball field, playground, recreation center, indoor basketball court.
* Avondale Park
1305 Dodson Ave.
Playground, baseball fields, outdoor basketball court, tennis court, recreation center.
* Eastdale Park
1312 Moss Drive
Ballfields, recreation center.
* Frances B. Wyatt Park
406 Colville St.
Ballfield, tennis court, playground, recreation center.
* Glenwood Park
2610 E. Third St.
Tennis courts, recreation center
* Riverside Park
1004 Crutchfield St.
Playground, pavilion, basketball court
* Roy Nelms Park
1609 W. 41st St.
St. Elmo
Gazebo, benches.
* Tatum Park
1609 Union Ave.
Picnic pavilions, walking trail.
* Watkins Street Park
2403 E. 12th St.
Playground, picnic pavilion.
* Montague Park
1151 E. 23rd St.
Rugby field, large-scale outdoor art exhibition.