Tag: reviews

Categories
Parks Reviews

Papanooga Park Roundup: Pioneer Frontier Playground

Address: 1509 Tombras Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37412

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. 

Rating: 4.5/5

Categories
Exploring Parks

“Local-ish” Chattanooga Swimming and Waterplay Spots: Hiking Edition

  • Elsie Holmes Nature Park 
    • Address: 88 Ben Holmes Rd, Ringgold, GA 30736
    • Hike down the trails to the South Chickamauga Creek with some water access points along the way. At the end of the creekside trail there is a deep spot with space for swimming. In addition, once crossing the creek there is a place to safely explore a protected bat cave.
  • Ringgold Recreational Complex 
    • Address: 16 Gale St, Ringgold, GA 30736
    • There is a short walking path along the South Chickamauga with some accessible water access points along the way. However, you can just drive along the path all the way to the creek.
  • Rainbow Lake Wilderness Park
    • Address: 304 Ohio Ave, Signal Mountain, TN 37377
    • Just off of Ohio Avenue there is parking that gives access to a hiking trail which goes behind the golf course and leads to the Middle Creek.  There are points at the bottom of the hill to go for a dip in the water.
  • Glen Falls 
    • access from Ochs Highway between Sanders Road and the Ochs Highway turn off, technically in Chattanooga, but on Lookout Mountain.
    • The short hiking trail leads to the shallow Glen Falls stream that connects with the Chattanooga Creek off of the mountain. You can access the trail from the formal parking area where the sign is, but you can park just before the sharp curve on Ochs Highway to hike down the steep hill to Glen Falls.
  • Pot Point Nature Trail 
    • Address: 17805 River Canyon Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37405
    • If you want to hike all the way up the mountain and then back down you can, but you can also start down by the wooden boardwalk that goes by the river. There are places to pull off the trail and swim in the Tennessee River. We stopped about .9 miles from the parking area, but there are many suitable places.
  • North Chickamauga Blue Hole
    • Address: 354 Montlake Rd, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379
    • After a short hike from the parking areas you will find multiple areas to swim in deep pools. The area is littered with massive boulders for sunbathing, just make sure to check for water depth before jumping into the creek!
  • Big Soddy Creek Gulf
    • Address: 11721 Back Valley Rd, Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379
    • There is a large parking area with a mile (or so) long path that leads down to the water. It gets pretty busy in the warmer months, so just be aware of the potential limited parking spaces.
  • Foster Falls
    • Address: 498 Foster Falls Rd, Sequatchie, TN 37374
    • After parking and taking a short hike you will find a spectacular 60-foot waterfall pouring into a deep pool of water. It can get very crowded in the warmer months, but it is well-worth it!
Categories
Exploring General

Camp Jordan to St. Elmo via Chattanooga Area Greenways

I am beyond excited to share that the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway has been completed and now connects with the Tennessee Riverwalk, which actually connects with the Virginia Avenue Greenway in St. Elmo. This opens up an incredible amount of opportunities to get out and explore the great outdoors within the city limits of Chattanooga.

South Chickamauga Creek Greenway Section

On the morning of April 30th my friend Jason and I set out to bike the newly connected 27-mile path from Camp Jordan in East Ridge all the way to the end of the Virginia Avenue Greenway in St. Elmo. We met in St. Elmo to drop off a car at the finish, loaded up the bikes in one car, stopped for a cup of coffee at Goodman Coffee Roasters in St. Elmo before driving across town to Camp Jordan to start our journey. Once we unloaded the gear the clock read 9:52am.

We started by taking the two mile path around Camp Jordan before crossing the creek and officially started on the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway. The path goes underneath Interstate-75, behind the Walmart Supercenter, crosses over Brainerd Road, and then continues on to the Brainerd Levee and Shallowford Road.

In this section of the path you will pass over the Brainerd Levee, which was built in the 1970’s to prevent flood waters from the South Chickamauga Creek from damaging the neighborhoods in the Brainerd area. The paved path is raised and, with the help of the levee, creates a freshwater marsh with animal habitats home to the Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Sedge Wrens, Palm Warbler, and the North American Box Turtle.

The path continues north on Shallowford Road away from the Circle K and after about half a mile crosses over at Caine Lane. If you keep to the sidewalk the path connects back with the apartments and homes by the large field on the other side of Camellia Drive. The paved path continues by the old dead tree before turning into a wooden boardwalk beside the creek. This is a very fun section because it goes downhill for about three quarters of a mile before reaching the crossing of railroad bridges behind the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. There is some interesting history here which you can read about in my “Exploring the Newly Completed South Chickamauga Creek Greenway” post here.

The boardwalk continues on up and down some slight grades, passing under many more railroad bridges over the South Chickamauga Creek. After a few more miles, the path leads to a bridge under Bonny Oaks Road, continuing onto a potentially stopping point at Sterchi Farm with a covered patio and public restrooms. The path is pretty self explanatory all the way from Sterchi Farm to the Tennessee Riverwalk trailhead at Lost Mound Road. You will go underneath a large road, Amnicola Highway, and come to a fork in the path. Take the path up the hill to the right, this will bring you to a rest stop with public restrooms and the blue metal bridge to again cross over the creek to continue on the Tennessee Riverwalk.

Tennessee Riverwalk Section

The Tennessee Riverwalk is a very straightforward path traveling behind the industrial buildings and restaurants on Amnicola Highway, the rowing center on Riverside Drive (with public restrooms), Manker Patten Tennis Club, all the way up the hill on Battery Place and on the bridge over Georgia Avenue into the Bluff View Art District.

We made a short pit stop here for some rest and cold drinks from Rembrandt’s Coffee House. At this point, Jason and I had biked for 18-miles nonstop and appreciated a little break before hopping back on the bikes and continuing on the Riverwalk. To continue on the Riverwalk you will need to bike in front of the Hunter Museum of Art and take the path to the left to take the zig-zag path downhill and under the Walnut Street Bridge to the river level area by the Tennessee Aquarium. One the day that we went, the Tennessee Aquarium was hosting an event on the Chattanooga Green event celebrating its 30th anniversary. There were tents, food trucks, and a live music stage.

The path continues down the river underneath Interstate-27 and along Riverfront Parkway before taking a sharp turn by Ross’ Landing Boat Ramp to go behind Scottie’s on the River and the Cameron Harbor Townhomes. At the large vibrant modern structure you can go up the hill to find public restrooms at the Blue Goose Hollow Trailhead or can continue on the path behind more industrial buildings. There is one doozy of a hill in this section between Blue Goose Hollow Trailhead and the Chestnut Street Trailhead just past the Interstate-24 overpass. You’ll find “YAY!” spray painted in yellow at top of the hill to celebrate your hard work. The path continues behind abandoned industrial buildings, in a small tunnel with a sign inscribed “Wheland Foundry Pass” and onto the newly developed area by the Publix in St. Elmo. You’ll need to cross over Broad Street at the crosswalk to go onto the path along St. Elmo Avenue.

Virginia Avenue Greenway

At this point, the Tennessee Riverwalk has come to its natural end, but if you cross over the road at Mr. T’s Pizza & Ice Cream and turn right you will find the beginning of the Virginia Avenue Greenway at Sawasdee Thai Restaurant. The Virginia Avenue Greenway is a simple, mostly level paved path that cuts right through the historic St. Elmo neighborhood. You will pass behind beautiful homes with unique features and designs for about two miles before coming to the end of the path by the Avocado Little Library at the end of Virginia Avenue. 

We ended our 27-mile journey here at 1:05pm. Our bike trip took just over three hours and was accessible entirely by safe, paved or wooden paths. It passed by numerous natural animal habitats and the beautiful South Chickamauga Creek and Tennessee River. To celebrate our hard work we grabbed burgers at The Tap House & Empyreal Brewing Company. 

If you were doing this trip solo or wanted to really push yourself, you could turn around at the end of Virginia Avenue and make your way back along the path you just traveled to Camp Jordan for a rigorous 54-mile bike trip. You could count it as practice and then compete in the annual Hincapie Gran Fondo for the 55-mile Medio race.

Categories
Exploring

Chattanooga Area Hiking Trails – All Levels List

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 organized by their level of difficulty for kids. I’ll share some photos of each place and discuss some details about each.

Easy

The “easy” trails are flat or mostly flat with some slight changes in elevation. They are two-miles or less. In addition, their paths are clear and accessible for little feet and even strollers.

Blue Blazes Trail : 1.5 miles, loop, flat

409 Moccasin Bend Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37405

This short, flat loop trail is located in the Moccasin Bend National Archeological District. It loops towards the Tennessee River and finds its way going parallel to the Moccasin Bend Golf Course  on its way back towards the parking area. There are some spots with significant mud, or as my 3-year old calls it “Mega Mud”, however most of these spots have a “walking bridge” (wooden walkway going over the swampy/muddy areas. Depending on the weather prior to your trip, there may be muddy spots not protected by a walkway, just beware.

Enterprise South – Sunshine/Storybook Trail : 1 mile, loop, slight hilly

190 Still Hollow Loop, Chattanooga, TN 37416

This short, slightly hilly trail is located right behind the visitors centers at Enterprise South Nature Park. This trail provides some literary entertainment along the way! It connects with the Sunshine trail to extend it for more adventuring! After a short nature walk and reading time the path finds its way right back to the parking lot behind the visitors center.

Enterprise South – Poe Run Trail : 2 miles, out and back, flat

190 Still Hollow Loop, Chattanooga, TN 37416

This short, flat trail starts at the parking area to the left of the visitors center at Enterprise South Nature Center. Along the path you will find multiple bunkers along the way. On occasion they are open and you can wander around inside, enjoying the dramatic echoes of footsteps, or on top of them. The Poe Run trail ends when you encounter the second cross road, at this point it becomes the Hidden Lake Trail, more on this extension below.

Glen Falls Trail : 2 miles, out and back, slight hill

Ochs Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37409 between Sanders Road and Ochs Highway turnoff

This is a great trail with slightly rocky and “root-y” terrain. It starts going on a slightly downward incline and continues rolling up and down the rest of the way. When you get to the bridge and water pool you are about halfway to the falls. At the falls you can climb in the rocks to get a higher point of view or walk along or inside the stream to get to the falls. We enjoy walking in the steam and exploring the top of the falls. The journey does come to an end when you end up at the “big bend” in Ochs Highway, but it’s a fun, easy hike with some water play options too.

Intermediate

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.

Stringers Ridge – Cherokee (Tan) Trail : 2.4 miles, loop, slight hill

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.

Advanced

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 at end of Spears Avenue – 1390 Spears Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37405

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!

Have fun exploring!

Categories
Parks Reviews

Scramble Alley

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:

  1. Wooden turrets
  2. Tunnels
  3. Slides
  4. Bridges
  5. Swings (regular and baby)
  6. Multiple monkey bars
  7. Short zip line
  8. Bouncy bridge
  9. 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.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Categories
Parks Reviews

*New* St. Elmo Park Open

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:

  1. Curved climbing wall
  2. Monkey bars
  3. Obstacle course
  4. Swing area
  5. Fitness center
  6. Age 2-5 play zone
  7. 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.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Categories
Exploring General

Belvoir Bluebird Trail

One day in the late fall of 2020 we were having an emotional day at home. We were months into quarantine and feeling low being in a new place with no friends. In hopes of raising morale, one weekend I drove to the Belvoir neighborhood in the Brainerd area to set up a scavenger hunt.

There is a 3-mile “urban hike” trail loop that winds through the neighborhood marked by 20 birdhouses aptly called the Belvoir Bluebird Trail. At each birdhouse I left a “clue” and a small trinket that connected to the next clue. I had arranged to hide some snacks in the mailboxes of some colleagues from work. We also drew up a treasure map that my kids followed to get from point to point. It was a magical afternoon full of excitement and wonder!

The Belvoir Bluebird Trail has a mission: promote a healthy population of bluebirds in the area. In addition to the 20 birdhouses from the trail, there are 7 larger birdhouses designed by the University of Kentucky, and individual, private birdhouses. The number of fledglings has steadily increased from the trail’s beginning in 2006 to a rough estimate of 560.

It is a very safe neighborhood to walk, scooter, and ride bikes. The neighborhood has a cautious driving culture, in part due to the winding roads and roundabouts, but mostly because of the general values of the community. There are a couple places with larger hills that may present a bit of a challenge to some, but the majority of the trail is relatively flat. 

There is an accurate trail map with birdhouse locations and directions at the “trailhead”. The start and the end of the trail is located at Triangle Park (4402 Mayfair Avenue), the community green space. Depending on when you go, there may be printed guides for the trail available.

Have fun out there dads!

Categories
Reviews

Best Places to Bike in Chattanooga

My oldest son loves to bike. He has been riding a wheeled contraption of some sort since before he could walk. I would push him in a tricycle, then when he was about two he started pedaling on his own. On his third birthday we got him this wicked pink bike with training wheels and after his 4th birthday he was cruising without the training wheels. Now at five he has put close to 1,000 riding hours on the sick pink bike. We have explored all over Chattanooga and have narrowed down our top 5 favorite places to bike.

1. Chattown Skatepark (1801 Reggie White Blvd. Chattanooga, TN  37408)

This is by far our favorite place to bike in Chattanooga. Even before my son could ride a bike without training wheels we would hit up the skatepark sometimes on the weekends, but now that he can shred without training wheels we go as much as we can. My son loves to take flight like Elliott from E.T. on the ramps in the middle. He also likes to ride on the side on the larger ramps on the edges of the park. I picked up skateboarding since we started coming and am working on my own skills. Although, my 5-year old is way cooler and far more extreme than I could ever hope to be. A word to the wise: get there earlier rather than later to avoid most of the other skaters. It can get pretty packed and dangerous for a kid later in the day.

2. Stringers Ridge Pump Track (1390 Spears Ave. Chattanooga, TN  37405)

The trails on Stringer’s Ridge are too advanced for my kids, but they love the pump track at the foot of the trailhead. There are two tracks, the top one is a beginner loop and the bottom track is a more advanced track. There are gentle bumps to pop wheelies on and some large jumps on the advanced track that he likes to take flight on. My son also liked to ride at top speed down the path from the bathrooms and slide out at the bottom. Our first trip we spent 3+ hours here shredding and sweating.

3. Enterprise South Nature Park (190 Still Hollow Loop Chattanooga, TN 37416)

There are admittedly lots of trails at Enterprise South that my kindergartener can’t do quite yet, but here is one path he loves. We start at the first parking lot by the Visitor’s Center and take the Poe Run Path to the Hidden Lake Trail. There is this cool pond at the top that we like to play make believe games at or just explore around. It’s about a 4-mile round trip. Don’t forget the water and snacks. The park closes at 6, so make sure to be out before then.

4. South Chickamauga Creek Greenway (Faith Road Trailhead-3710 Faith Road Chattanooga, TN 37406)

This section of the greenway is great. It goes right alongside the South Chickamauga Creek and has some beautiful views and there is a .75 mile section on a raised wooden path on the side of a large hill. If you start at the Faith Road Trailhead and need a good stopping point you have a covered sitting area with bathrooms at Sterchi Farms about 2 miles down the trail. We usually turn around at this point, but you can keep going towards the Tennessee River and connect with the Riverwalk at the Amnicola Trailhead.

5. Riverwalk (Downtown-430 E Second St. Chattanooga, TN 37403)

We have explored every part of the classic Riverwalk from the Chickamauga Dam to the Wheland Foundry Station, but my son’s favorite section is the downtown section from the docking site of the Southern Belle under Highway 27 to the Sculpture Gardens in the Art District. He especially loves the zigzag section under the Walnut Street Bridge leading up to the Hunter Museum.

If you hit up one of these places don’t forget to tag Papanooga on social media. I would love to see you and your niños on some sweet adventures.

Have fun out there dads!

Categories
General

Travel Pack Necessities

Having some snacks is one of the most important things on outings with your kids. When you get hungry you just feel hungry, but when your kids get hungry they will either start crying way more than usual or they will turn into a tiny MMA fighter and attack the closest breathing thing.

Here are some of the absolutely crucial things to bring to a playground, trail, or exploring area.

1. Diapers and wipes

If your kids are not yet potty trained (or even recently potty trained) then you need to have diapers and wipes. Check to make sure your wipes haven’t dried out because no one likes getting wiped with sandpaper.

2. Water

We play hard and need water and lots of it. I always grab my 32oz bottle, fill it up and toss a few cubes of ice in before we head out.

3. Snacks

Snacks are KEY. My kids personally get into a frightening laughy/violent mood when they are hungry. It isn’t good for anyone. For snacks that curb the fury I lean towards easy grab-n-go fruits and vegetables, protein bars, and other tasty treats.

4. Bag it up

You don’t need that $160 designer diaper bag the influencers are toting around to their baby and me hot yoga class. It’s just going to get messed up anyways. I tend to grab a plastic bag. It comes in hand for trash and dirty diaper collection too. If you are going out on a longer outing, maybe opt for a backpack, but keep it simple.

Have fun out there dads!