Address: 19 Van Cleve St, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
While this park isn’t actually in Chattanooga or even Tennessee for that matter, it is just across the state line in Georgia. The Gilbert-Stephenson park has attracted families and people of all for years with the tennis courts, sand volleyball court, swimming pool, walking track, and the former playground. In 2020, the playground got a face lift and it has been the centerpiece of the community since its grand re-opening in June 2020.
The play structure is inclusive, meaning most parts of the playground as accessible for people of all abilities. The playground meets all seven principles of inclusive playground design: fair, included, smart, independent, safe, active, and comfortable. It includes climbing, sliding, imaginative play, manipulative items, cooperative play, gathering and social spots, jump in and out elements, and looping patterns. Some specific features include:
Lots of field space
Tennis courts
Sand volleyball court
Access to the 7.5-mile long out-and-back trail, the Fort Oglethorpe Greenway
Covered patios
Public bathrooms
Public pool ($5)
4 person see-saw
Multiple slides (metal and plastic)
Multiple swing sections
Circular “tire” swing
Rocking boat
Age 2-5 section
Musical items, such as metallophone, touch piano, and drums
Calisthenic workout area
Large play structure with a bridge
I have taken all of my children to play here, including my 14-month old, 4- and 5-year old. They all were able to find ways to play and explore according to their own interests and developmental ability. I think that this playground is really a “diamond in the rough” to the community in Chattanooga. We are so used to the Blue Cross Healthy Place in Highland Park, the Pumpkin Park, and the Imagination Station that this great park in Fort Oglethorpe goes undiscovered from many in Tennessee. It is certainly one that Chattanooga locals should try out if you are looking for a new place to play and explore!
On April 6th, 2021 the city of East Ridge began the demolition on the well loved wooden Pioneer Frontier Park with plans to build a new playground and splash pad with a $1,000,000 budget. The original wooden castle park was built in 1994 and served the city for 27 years. The new Playcore playground was under construction for a year and was completed on April 2nd, 2022.
I’ve gone on before in my Scramble Alley and *New* St. Elmo Park about how much I love wooden castle parks because of the imaginary worlds that are easily created and explored. I feel the same about the original Pioneer Frontier Park, but that isn’t the focus of this review. The new park has some pretty awesome features, including:
Multiple swings
Monkey bars
One of those circular “tire” swings
A kids aged 2-5 section with monkey bars, swings, and a small play structure
A roller bar slide
A bridge section above the main play structure entrance
Tower with two tall, windy slides
A contemporary designed rope bridge
A merry go round with rope seats
A calisthenic workout area
A splash pad to be opened in summer (will update when opened)
There are some parts of the play structure that resemble the plastic play structure at the Imagination Station in Collegedale. My kids greatly anticipated the grand opening of this playground and have enjoyed playing here when we have come. If you have a scooter, skateboard, or bike that needs some roll time, there is a small track around the playground.
When it comes to a hike with kids there are a few things that you should keep in mind before setting out. You want to plan for success and be proactive. If Stephen Covey puts “Be Proactive” as his #1 Habit for Highly Effective People, then it should be considered here too. He’s a pretty smart dude!
Plan. Plan. Plan.
Determine what your route will be. (check out some ideas here)
Plan the mileage of the hike. (I use AllTrails for mapping and planning)
Look at the map, two or three times.
Find the directions and drive time to get to the trailhead.
Check the weather.
Plan for the estimated total hike time.
Prepare. Prepare. Prepare.
Bring more than enough water.
Bring more than enough snacks. (check out the my snack post for tips here)
Wear weather appropriate clothes.
Have a towel, just in case.
Wear and bring extra sunscreen.
If you’ve got an untrained or recently potty trained little one, make sure you’ve got the diapers, wipes, and a bag to pack it out.
Execute. Execute. Execute.
Keep it easy and have fun.
Bring a wilderness scavenger hunt checklist.
Go on a bear hunt (inspired by the classic children’s book “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt”)
Make up some other imaginary game to keep the morale high.
Have you got a little one who might struggle with the hike? Consider a baby carrier or jogging stroller, if the trail is appropriate. (check out my Stroller vs. Baby Carrier post)
If you are picture-taking people, snap some shots to save for the memory collection.
Now that the weather is warming up, it seems appropriate to create a list of our favorite hiking trails in the area. While my kids are little (3 and 5, well we have a baby too, but she can’t really walk yet), they are pretty used to long hikes. I’ve created a tiered list of local hikes which I will be sharing in three separate posts. I’ll share some photos of each place and discuss some details about each.
The “advanced” trails are 2.5 miles or longer. They are hilly, going up mountains and large hills. Their paths are crowded with roots, rocks, ledges, and plant life. These trails are probably best for older children. Leave the stoller at home, it won’t work.
Cravens House to Point Park : 2.8 miles, loop, hilly
Point Park Visitor Ctr, Lookout Mountain, TN 37350
My boys love Cravens House because we often will play this imagination game based on the 2020 Pixar film Onward. One day I decided that we were going to take the trail all the way up Lookout Mountain to Point Park. If you enter Point Park from the front entrance you’ve got to pay and I ain’t about that, however, if you enter from the trail it is free. We took the Cravens House Trail to the Bluff Trail all the way up the mountain, along the bumpy rock, the area overrun with kudzu, and finally the Stairway to Heaven (the stairs up to Point Park). The kids then play pretend games with the cannons and everything up on the mountain and when we are ready we take the Mountain Beautiful Trail down creating a loop that drops you back down at Cravens House.
Stringers Ridge – Hill City to Double J (Blue) Trail : 3.5 miles, loop, hilly
Access to the Hill City/Double J (blue) trail starts at the Spears Avenue Trailhead at the end of Spears Avenue. You will follow the blue markings as it winds its way along the ridge. Once you find a crossroads section with a map you have some choices. The Gig City (red/blue) extension to the Hill City/ Double J (blue) is closed due to wash out. You can either take Cherokee (tan) Trail north to the overlook and continue to the Strut (green) trail where it then connects with the Hill City/Double J (blue) trail or you can take the Cherokee (tan) Trail south to reconnect with the Hill City (blue) trail and follow the to the parking area at the Spears Avenue Trailhead.
Pot Point Nature Loop : 4 miles, loop, hilly
17805 River Canyon Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37405
This is a new favorite. The first half of the loop climbs in the hill/mountain and the second half climbs down the mountain and walks alongside the Tennessee River.The start is relatively simple, but then you’ll start to make a climb up the large hill/small mountain in Prentice Cooper State Park. Just when you think it’ll be over soon, it isn’t. When you get to marker number 10 you are almost to the boulder field and campsite. We romped around the boulders and campsites for a bit before making the way back down the hill. The riverside portion can get pretty muddy at times, so just beware. Enjoy skipping some stones or dip your toes in the river in one of the logical locations. The trail goes on the road a little, gets back into the forest, meanders through the butterfly field, before ending at the end of a boardwalk back at the parking lot.
Richie Hollow Trail : 5.4 miles, out and back, hilly
17805 River Canyon Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37405
This trail starts at the same parking area as the Pot Point, but it has a separate trailhead on the other side of the parking lot. This is a fairly strenuous trail that gains 1,200 feet in elevation. Along the trail you will pass the 30-foot tall waterfall called Blowing Wind Falls. The waterfall is about 1.75 miles from the trail head with about a 600 ft climb in elevation, which is a great midway point if you wanted to turn around here making a 3.5 hike. The option still remains to continue the remainder of the way to the Davis Pond Campground at the end of the Richie Hollow Trail for a midway stopping point too.
Make sure to tag @papanooga on social media if you share photos of your adventures online!
Now that the weather is warming up, it seems appropriate to create a list of our favorite hiking trails in the area. While my kids are little (3 and 5, well we have a baby too, but she can’t really walk yet), they are pretty used to long hikes. I’ve created a tiered list of local hikes which I will be sharing in three separate posts. I’ll share some photos of each place and discuss some details about each.
The “intermediate” trails are 2 miles or longer. They are introducing steeper terrain and challenges. Their paths may be rocky and bumpy, less friendly at times to little feet and strollers, but still ultimately manageable.
Neighborhood access at end of Hiram Avenue – 1052 Hiram Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37415
Neighborhood access at end of Highridge Drive – 898 Highridge Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37405
No Access at Pine Ridge Drive – Rockslide has washed out the entrance and southern section
This trail was once well paved, but time and usage has turned it rather bumpy, but you might only notice if you are trying to maneuver a jogging stroller up the path. Due to a rockslide and trail washout, the secondary entrance to Stringers Ridge at Pine Ridge Drive is closed. The “official” entrance is at the Spears Avenue Trailhead, however, there are two “neighborhood” access points with “no parking” allowed: (1) at the end of Hiram Avenue and (2) at the end of Highridge Drive. The Cherokee Trail has a beautiful scenic overlook for views of Northshore, Downtown, and Missionary Ridge.
Racoon Mountain – Electric Avenue 1 : 3.4 miles, out and back, mostly flat
3800 Raccoon Mountain Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37419
Racoon Mountain is well known for its mountain biking trails, which usually means steep inclines. If you are looking for a level terrain with a clear path, then you’ll want to “rock down to Electric Avenue”. This path is easily accessible from the parking lot by the Racoon Mountain Chattanooga Overlook. We took the path all the way to the road and walked back to the car on the one-way reservoir road that runs all the way around the water. There aren’t many cars that take the road, it is a safe way to travel if you want to avoid the trail on the way back or simply want a new perspective.
Enterprise South – Poe Run Trail to Hidden Lake : 3.8 miles, out and back, flat (Poe Run Trail) small hills (Hidden Lake Trail)
190 Still Hollow Loop, Chattanooga, TN 37416
This is the Hidden Lake extension of the Poe Run Trail mentioned above. Poe Run is a mostly flat path, but once you hook up with the Hidden Lake trail the path starts to take an incline up to the Hidden Lake. It is slightly more strenuous and adds close to two more miles to the round trip, but we think that it is worth it, if you are up to it. The first time we took this trail I just accidentally happened upon the lake, and it was a pleasant surprise. We spent time skipping stones in the water and looking at all the wildlife around the lake.
South Chickamauga Creek Greenway – Faith Rd. to Sterchi Farms : 4.4 miles, out and back, mostly flat, slightly hilly in middle on the boardwalk
3650 Faith Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37406
I really enjoy this path, it runs along the South Chickamauga Creek and the railway system in the area. There are multiple railway crossing points where the path goes underneath the rail. It is really something when a train comes barreling down the track and you are square underneath it! About one mile down the path from the Faith Road Trailhead the path transitions into a wooden walkway on the hillside along the creek. It is a fun place to walk, run, or bike. You’ll pass underneath Bonny Oaks Road and come across some memorabilia for the Historic Trail of Tears before reaching a midway stopping point at Sterchi Farms on Harrison Pike. There is a covered sitting area and bathrooms. We stop here and head back to Faith Road, however, like a choose your own adventure you can continue down the greenway to the North Hawthorne Trailhead or take it all the way to the connection with the Tennessee Riverwalk and go to the Chickamauga Dam, Downtown, or now even St. Elmo.
Make sure to tag @papanooga on social media if you share photos of your adventures online!
This morning was just beautiful outside and I decided to take my kids on a hike I have long been wanting to try out. I made breakfast, packed my “Papa Pack” full of diapers, wipes, snacks, and plenty of water. We hopped in the car, cranked up some India.Arie, and trekked out to the Pot Point trailhead just outside of Chattanooga near Prentice Cooper.
At this trailhead there are a few different trails options, but we went for the Pot Point Nature Trail. It is a 3.7 mile loop, which is a little long for nature trails in my opinion, but oh well. I learned from the trail map that there was a campsite about halfway and I’m very thankful that it’s there. When taking little people (aged 5, 3, and 1) on a long hike, a midway point to rest and play is an absolute necessity.
We started at the trail map side of the loop, however you can start across the street at the wooden walking path leading to the Tennessee River. Ultimately, the trail goes up and then back down the mountainside no matter which way you begin. Although, I think starting at the hillside, trail map end of the loop is probably best. You get the uphill part over with at the beginning of the hike when you (and your little people) have lots of energy and excitement.
We stopped along the way to rest a bit, drink some water, and look at mossy rocks. Just when you think the midway campsite is going to be around the next bend, it isn’t. Along the path you will see little poles with numbers engraved on the top. You might find yourself wondering that purpose they serve. There is nothing on the trail map mentioning them. They aren’t distance markers. I’m not certain what their purpose is. Although when you see post #10, the trail gets flat, you can see the top of the mountain clearly, and there are lots of massive boulders you are almost there.
There is a little exploration trail called Boulder Trail and it reminds me of The Hobbit, this terrible PC game from 2003 based on the story of J. R. R. Tolkien’s story. There is this section on the game when you sneak around big stinky trolls to steal their mutton or something like that. Well, these massive boulders remind me of the many “adventures” I took and hours I invested into this game when I was 10. Might be kind of cool to reenact this with an imaginary game with your kiddos if they are familiar with the story, or even if they aren’t.
When you’re at the top, take some time to rest at one of the three campsites. Host a talent show on the camping platforms. Enjoy the beautiful views. You will have sacrificed much to get to this point with your little people.
The hike back just continues on the trail, but this time down the mountain. The trail crosses the River Canyon Road on its way down to the Tennessee River. The section at the bottom by the river is pretty swampy and muddy at times, so either wear hiking boots that can handle that or just plan on getting muddy moccasins and soggy socks.
There are a couple nice “pull-offs” along the river section of the trail for a dip in the water or skipping stones, including another campsite, but this time on the river bank.
The trail then leads to the River Canyon Road and you’ll need to walk on the road for maybe a quarter of a mile before a new trail emerges leading back into the woods. Although, you can stay on the road and follow that back to the parking area, but I recommend getting back on the trail. This final section of the trail is beautiful. You will find the Butterfly Meadow, a beautiful, flat section right along the river with lush grasses and wildflowers covered in butterflies.
The journey back to the parking area is easy from the Butterfly Meadow following the trail and a wooden walkway over some swampy areas.
It’s a very nice trail for a long outing.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
The ascent up the top of mountain might be tough for little legs (or bigger legs too). The campsite area and the Boulder Trail is great for rest, exploration, and imaginary play and the spots on the river section a good getting your feet wet and skipping stones.
We spent a total of four hours on the hike, but we did take our time along the way. Which is probably best if you are heading out with kiddos.
If you try out this trail make sure to tag @papanooga on Instagram or Facebook to share your adventures.
Last week I wrote a post about my feelings regarding the demolition of the St. Elmo wooden playground to make way for the new Blue Cross Healthy Place playground. You should read the post, but suffice to say, I am not happy.
To my knowledge there are now only two wooden playgrounds in Hamilton County and Scramble Alley is one of them. The wooden playground on Lookout, in St. Elmo and in East Ridge were considered “dangerous” and were all replaced with plastic structures, however, this one in Soddy Daisy isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. There is a small wooden plaque with an engraving of the year 1995. If this park was actually built in 1995, it is in amazing condition. It is pristine, primeaux, that good good!
My boys and I went with a friend and his kids to Scramble Alley on the last snowy day of the winter of 2022. It looked like what a Hogwarts winter would be if the construction wizards chose wood as the chief material instead of magical stone. We started out gingerly walking around the structure carefully, so as not to slip and fall, but before long a massive snowball fight ensued. Now, bear in mind we are talking two fully grown, adult men and four children aged 2, 3, 4, and 5. So, maybe “massive” isn’t the best adjective, but it gets the point across.
Although this would be an ideal location for a paintball, airsoft battle, or at the very least capture the flag. (Probably don’t do the gun battle thing because it is probably illegal and the Soddy Daisy police station is right across the field.) There are wooden castle turrets, tunnels, slides, bridges, and more. It is very similar to the old wooden playground at Charlie Daniels Park in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee where I grew up. My mom would work with fitness clients around the running track while their kids and I would pretend to be jedi knights saving the day….Ah… memories… Well, where was I, it has:
Wooden turrets
Tunnels
Slides
Bridges
Swings (regular and baby)
Multiple monkey bars
Short zip line
Bouncy bridge
Stairs. Lots and lots of stairs.
I found it on Yelp and decided that I was going to find the perfect day for the drive all the way out to Soddy Daisy to play on a playground. Man, was it worth it. HIGHLY recommend this playground for chase games, imagination play, and general jubilation.
One day last summer when my wife and I went on a walk with our son and daughter down the Virginia Avenue Greenway from the Sawasee Thai Restaurant to the St. Elmo Park to play. To our dismay, there wasn’t a playground anymore. The playground was taken down due to safety concerns and the new playground is now completed.
Here are some of the features that your little monkey might enjoy:
Curved climbing wall
Monkey bars
Obstacle course
Swing area
Fitness center
Age 2-5 play zone
Green space on the grave of the old St. Elmo Park
While it is exciting that there is now a play space in the St. Elmo neighborhood again, I miss the old wooden park. It matched the whole vibe of St. Elmo. It had that long metal slide. It had a giant tire half submerged in the ground. It was a freaking tree house for goodness sake. This new park is just a smaller, less interesting version of the Blue Cross Healthy Place at Highland Park.
I understand there may be laws and regulations about the construction of wooden playgrounds these days. It may come down to environmental impact or cost, but I just don’t see old school wooden playgrounds made anymore. Which is a bummer because my most vivid childhood playground memories (aside from that one time I pooped my pants on the slide in preschool) are on wooden castle playgrounds. I remember pretending to be a jedi or a ninja, running, hiding, stick-sword fighting, jumping, and all the wonderful things that children do. These are the experiences our children deserve and I’ve found my own kids are more likely to imagine and play more openly on wooden playgrounds, for whatever reason.
I’m glad that the former entryway was kept. It helps someone like myself who fondly remembers what it used to be.
