Rick Wood walks along a trail through the new Stringer’s Ridge Park on Sept. 3, 2013, in Chattanooga. The urban nature park features foot and biking trails across 103 acres.The Trust for Public Land is working with Chattanooga officials to identify which of the city’s 71 parks or greenways need a makeover and the neighborhoods in need of a place for families to play outdoors.
Last week the City Council renewed an annual $100,000 contract with the Trust for Public Land. Part of this year’s agreement will be helping advise the city on how more residents can enjoy their neighborhood parks.
“We’re excited about this opportunity because it’s a real investment in neighborhoods,” said Rick Wood, the nonprofit organization’s area director.
Woods said the trust plans to present a list of projects by January identifying where the city can upgrade existing parks, improve access to those parks or build new ones over the next four years. Some projects could include advising where to put sidewalks or remove obstacles such as fences, he said.
City Economic and Community Development Director Donna Williams wasn’t available for comment Thursday or Friday.