Alton Park and Oak Hills residents met Monday to plan a $1 million park in Alton Park.
Councilman Chris Anderson said the $1 million park, proposed for the old Charles A. Bell site, is the city's biggest investment ever for a park in the community.
Construction is scheduled to begin in January, with completion expected by the spring.
"This is my baby. It's going to become the new center of neighborhood pride" said Anderson, who represents the South Chattanooga community.
The old Charles A. Bell school closed in 1989 and sat vacant from 1991 to 2011, when it was torn down.
Andersen stood among nearly two dozen city planners, residents and architects listening to suggestions from the community about the park.
Landcape Architect John R. Brown with Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon showed the group different sketches of how the 5-acre triangular shaped park could look.
Barge asked residents to place dots on pictures of what they wanted to see in the park to indicate the city's priority for filling the space, he said.
A pavilion with a restroom in the park got the largest number of votes, followed by having interpretive signs. Residents also indicated they wanted grills, shade trees, water fountains, security lighting and picnic tables.
Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431.