Chesapeake, Va., visitors Joseph and Jennifer Pfab take in the view from Signal Point.In celebration of its 100th anniversary, the National Park Service is hosting “Find Your Park” events at parks all over the country to connect communities to the resources available at local parks through educational programming and recreational opportunities.
Among the six events in the Chattanooga area is “Signal to the Next Generation: Celebrate the National Park Service Centennial,” being held at Signal Point Saturday, June 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees of all ages can enjoy historic demonstrations, ranger-led hikes and hands-on activities.
“We wanted to draw people to the historical sites in their own backyard,” said Kim Coons, chief of interpretation and resource education for Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. “[The Signal Point event] will be an opportunity to really learn about the history at Signal Point, and to learn about different things you can do in National Parks.
“We want people to appreciate their National Parks so we’ll be around another hundred years.”
Along with living history demonstrations relating to signaling presented by NPS, representatives from the Signal Mountain Historical Society will talk about the history of Signal Point and its acquisition by the Parks Service, and rangers from the Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail will be leading hikes beginning at 9:30 a.m. Attendees can sign up for hikes, which are limited to 20 participants, when they arrive at the event.
An 8-mile hike from Signal Point to Edwards Point focusing on the history of the Cumberland Trail begins at 10 a.m. and should take three to four hours. For hikers who are not quite up for the change in elevation required for the point-to-point hike, there is also a 3-mile jaunt at 1 p.m. from Signal Point to Middle Creek and Rainbow Falls.
Younger visitors can participate in a kids’ hike that remains in the Signal Point area and begins at 11 a.m., or join in activities related to signaling, such as making their own cipher discs to communicate with one another.
Coons said other local events will be held in July at Moccasin Bend National Archaeological District, in August at the Chickamauga Battlefield, and in September in Orchard Knob and Sherman Reservation on Missionary Ridge.
For more information about the Signal Point event, call 752-5213, ext. 123, or visit nps.gov/chch. Signal Point is at 116 Signal Point Road.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com