Moccasin Bend matters; protect it
Like the city itself, Moccasin Bend is rich in open space, steeped in history and has an immense potential for outdoor recreation.
But spaces like Moccasin Bend are not guaranteed to us forever. The National Park Service, the federal agency that oversees Moccasin Bend and the rest of the national parks system, needs more than $12 billion in infrastructure repairs. Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park (which includes Moccasin Bend) needs $49.4 million in upkeep.
These things have a negative impact on the visitor experience. They threaten a visitor’s access and safety. This also can harm our local economy. In 2015, Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park generated more than $77.5 million in the Chattanooga region. Tourist spending at the park created 979 jobs.
Our elected officials have a responsibility to provide enough resources to keep our national parks open and accessible, to make sure buildings and infrastructure are safe and to preserve historic buildings and sites for future generations.