The future of Chattanooga parks is already here, and it’s more than just an area of grass for picnics or soccer.
One new park called Main Terrain and a recent addition to Warner Park are proof that Chattanooga parks are moving toward places that emphasize wellness and provide much more than just an empty tract of grass.
“With Main Terrain it’s kind of like a quartet of initiatives we’re talking about,” said Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Administrator Larry Zehnder. “We’ve got the general idea of an urban park area, the arts – both visual and literary – health and wellness and the introduction of improving water quality in a park area. We’re taking four initiatives into one site development. It’s the first of its kind in Chattanooga.”
The new 1.72-acre park, located between West Main Street and West 13th Street, will feature sculptures by local artist Thomas Sayre, a running track, fitness stations and an area for stormwater collection that will both help with citywide stormwater runoff issues and provide an irrigation system for nearby plants.
“Sustainability is the key word,” said Zehnder. “We’re trying to be not just a great place to visit, but a functional aspect of our city as well.”