The Tennessee River Gorge announced today that it was donating 51 acres of Stringer’s Ridge to act as a conservation easement.
“This ensures protection from any development of the northern part of Stinger’s Ridge,” said Jim Brown, executive director of the Tennessee River Gorge Trust.
The Trust for Public Land acquired a neighboring 38-acre section for $2 million a year ago. The ridge lies on the northern edges of downtown Chattanooga and overlooks the entire city.
Controversy sprouted up almost two years ago when a developed announced it would build residential condominiums on the site. Since that time, a conglomerate of non-profit organizations, private donors and the city of Chattanooga have donated money to acquire the land in hopes to turn it into a public park.
The announcement comes just on the verge of a Saturday hike led by Outdoor Chattanooga to let area residents view the park.
For more information, read tomorrow’s edition of the Chattanooga Times Free Press.