City Asked To Give $500K Toward Stringer's Ridge

[CMF Newsman]

Officials of the Trust For Public Land are asking the city of Chattanooga to contribute $500,000 toward a $2.5 million goal for saving 92 acres of Stringer's Ridge in North Chattanooga.

Rick Wood, TPL executive director, said the plan is to convert four scenic and historic hills into a public park for mountain biking, hiking and birdwatching.

Mayor Ron Littlefield said the city has found $150,000 toward the project and will come up with the rest of the requested amount.

But Councilman Jack Benson said he wants other local governments to be asked to contribute, including the county.

www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_135717.asp

[Kordax]

Smart economic move, City of Chatt -- needlessly convert a private enterprise driven, tax-paying development into a public woods where tax-consuming enviro-preppies might possibly roam as though the Chattanooga region (especially North Chatt) has a critical shortage of new greenways....

[LimitedRecourse]

Think of it as "temporary shelter" until the homeless complex is built downtown.

[augie47]

Sept 24, 2008 10:43:57 GMT -5 LimitedRecourse said:

Think of it as "temporary shelter" until the homeless complex is built downtown.

and, after the "build it and they will come" homeless complex IS completed, think of this area as their "summer home".

[gridbug]

If the City decides it can afford this park than great! At least the ridge isn't covered in condos. A park will just make it better.

[Kordax]

If the City decides it can afford this park than great! At least the ridge isn't covered in condos. A park will just make it better.

A City that can no longer afford to pave roads properly sees fit to "afford" funding this fiasco? Where are the grownups?

Heads should roll Apocalyptco style....

[gridbug]

I hadn't heard about not being able to afford to pave roads here, but isn't that largely dependent on funds from the state?

You know, if you move to one of those condos you like so much you don't have to see poorly maintained roads It's nice to be where the tax dollars go

[Laura Rice]

Sept 24, 2008 11:32:09 GMT -5 @gridbug said:

If the City decides it can afford this park than great! At least the ridge isn't covered in condos. A park will just make it better.

It would be nice if they would finish their Ashland Terrace $$ fiasco before they plunge into a new one... Our construction is still ongoing!! I can never tell if the crews don't show up because the project is stalled, because of lack of money or lack of fuel.

[slackpacker]

If it was to become part of the National Military Park system, then the National Park Service should put some money into the pot as well. Then they could charge admission like Point Park does and at least make some money to go into the upkeep. Volunteers could, and should be used to construct the trails. I went to check the ridge out back when the original uproar over the condos came up... nothing really special about it, you can find much nicer scenery and views on the numerous trails that are already in the area. The Civil War bunkers are just trenches in the ground you wouldn't even notice if you weren't specifically looking for them. Then there is the "Sawyer Street" element to deal with...I've seen the trails that go down the ridge to the neighborhood, along with the drug paraphernalia littering the ground...you think Coolidge park can be dangerous? Wait 'til the homies catch you off guard up on that ridge with all your yuppie/urban commando acoutrements. I'll stick to the other 300 miles of trail all within a 30 minute drive of downtown, thanks.

[LimitedRecourse]

Sawyer Street and all its huckleberries can be pruned.

[Warkitty]

Sorba has already stepped forward to volunteer time for trail upkeep as long as its kept open for mountain biking.

[doodle]

Thanks Warkitty !! Not a rider but , a hiker and an advocate in eliminating all the illegal dumping that has occurred for years. I agree to disagree with Slackpacker....Stringer's maybe a scruffy mutt to those who demand pedigree "scenic" spots. But, it is special place that can provide one with quick access outside of the concrete jungle.

[slackpacker]

I agree that it would be great to have a park with hiking, biking and birdwatching in the middle of downtown...it's nice when you get that "middle of nowhere" feeling in the midst of the concrete jungle. I'm all for new trails, that's why I volunteer and build them most weekends. Seems the Blue Blazes trail on Moccasin Bend would fit the bill. Sorba just built some great trails up on Lookout for biking. The Greenway farm is prettty close to downtown. My point is, there are plenty of places to enjoy the outdoors. I think the city has other things they could spend $2.5 million on. Maybe it's the economy that has me in this mood.

[doodle]

I hear you . From what I have gathered , the city would only come up with $500,000 . New York has Central and New Orleans has City Park whatever.... and yes maintenance weighs in later

Main point , having moved here from the flat land it just seems a sin to scrape ridge lines away . Its like creating a watery oasis in the desert. Oooops , I forgot Vegas !

[fftspam]

First there is zero civil war significance. Oh, Im sorry, there are a couple of berms. Nobody died up there and no shots were fired. If someone wants to incorporate a significant area into the Chickamauga military park start buying up the land between Orchard Knob and the ridge.
As far as contributors to this project.... how much are the vocal opponents to the original development going to chip in? And considering one side is bordered on Red Bank... has anyone gone to Red Bank and asked them what they are gonna chip in? Id guess Red Bank would like some new non camera revenue.
Im all about outdoor fun and parks... But, if I had to guess one way or another, this is going to happen... in fact, id guess the TPL has already passed the hat and is just putting the screws to the city for what is most important... the upkeep.

[Deleted]

"A Message from Jim Johnson, President of the Chattanooga Bicycle Club.

The Chattanooga Bicycle Club voted Monday evening (Oct. 20) to contribute $5,000 to the Trust for Public Land toward the purchase of property at Stringer’s Ride.

In addition, CBC will match dollar for dollar every contribution or pledge made by members of Chattanooga-area outdoor organizations up to $5,000—for a possible total contribution of $10,000. Donations or pledges must be received by October 31.

Gifts can be sent to The Trust for Public Land, 202 Tremont Street, Chattanooga, TN 37405. For a pledge card to pay over three years, or for further information on how to support TPL’s work on Stringer’s Ridge, contact Carla Askonas at [phone], ext. 4 or [e-mail]

CBC is making this a challenge and asking members to write their club names on the notes line of their checks. TPL will keep track of donations, and CBC will announce the amounts given by clubs’ members. If you’ve already made a contribution or pledge, just let Carla know the name of your organization, and she’ll record it.

There's a fairly narrow window of opportunity for the Trust for Public Land to acquire 92 acres there to preserve as a public woodlands park. At this point, they are more than half-way to a required $500,000 they need to raise before November 1. They need an additional $200,000.

Stringer's Ridge has been in danger of residential development, as has happened in several other highly visible ridge-top areas. After the purchase, there will be public hearing where the cycling community will be able to provide input on how to improve and possibly expand the trail system there for mountain biking, hiking, trail running and other recreational activities.

Don’t delay your donation—and tell all your friends and organization members!"

[Tsavodiner]

Sept 24, 2008 15:13:02 GMT -5 LimitedRecourse said:

Sawyer Street and all its huckleberries can be pruned.

You mean the residents or the weeds?

[LimitedRecourse]

Either or both.

[Babs]

It won't be good for deer in the long run. Sometimes, there are so many deer on the road going to the Bend, that you have to drive through with high beam lights and slowly. Most of the deer that are hit by cars are outside the gate.I even saw a huge buck on Manufactures Rd. one night. Another problem is spotters, hunters who come in with lights to shine in the deer eyes and shoot them. We have guards that can chase them away, but not on park property. Problem is, the deer don't know where the gate is. They are all over the place up to the golf course.

[Deleted]

When I was at the SWAT demo at the Moc Bend shooting range this evening (See police blotter, Citizens Police Academy), there were about five deer not all that far from where the shooting was going on. Didn't bother them a bit. One fellow said the deer have been known to come up close (maybe on?) the range itself to eat grass while bullets flew.

Danged BambiRats.

[LimitedRecourse]

It is the secret food supply for the proposed homeless hilton.

[doodle]

Sept 24, 2008 11:42:55 GMT -5 Kordax said:

If the City decides it can afford this park than great! At least the ridge isn't covered in condos. A park will just make it better.

A City that can no longer afford to pave roads properly sees fit to "afford" funding this fiasco? Where are the grownups?

Heads should roll Apocalyptco style....

The funds allocated for this were already in the Parks and Rec budget, I am sorry but I do not see how this has anything to do with the roads / maintentence budget for the city. This step by the city does show how a diverse group of many can come together and demand more thought to an action by their city council. And they listened and they should .

[Tsavodiner]

It goes to VALUES, doodle. We as police officers just got the old "were poor and can't pay you" routine, folks all over town are driving on 1950's roads, while the 'hoi polloi' Council, almost half of whom are QUITTING, find money to buy 'art' for the riverfront, a rebuild of the entire f*cking infrastructure of the riverfront, a new "cultural affairs" recycled-used-to-be-worthless-in-another-department-somebody, and now buy up whole neighborhoods for 'ambiance' or some such bullshit. It leads me to believe the so-called leadership of this town has taken leave of whatever small good sense it had left to start with!

I suppose they'll REALLY start listening when a couple of their worthless asses get turned out of office. The ones that haven't seen the handwriting on the wall and ABDICATED, of course.

[Tsavodiner]

Officials of the Trust For Public Land

Go to "Huffington Post-2008 Fundrace" and enter the zip codes for downtown and surrounding areas; you'll see some familiar names giving big money to interesting folks.

[Longshot! [ Saint ]]

Tsavo.... I felt bad for the things that happened to you the one time we went out and hung out. The therapy, the hospital bills -- seriously, that was pretty fucked up, and unique for even me.

Now, with this bit of logic and simple statement of facts? I feel downright Terrible. Seriously, brother...you are like a work of art meant to be preserved and revered, not pummled and fractured as I inadvertantly allowed to happen.

While it was physics that did you in, I officially apologize for forcing you to tag along in the chain of events that ultimately led to your painful disposition, because I couldn't have imagined a better repository for your wit and introspection than these not-so-hallowed pages.

You are a literary joy where once, I found only banality and barely functional erections.


Did I say that?



Seriously...you're a good man, and I'm glad you're still around.



And I meant what I said at Bud's that night-I'm PISSED you ever retired. These kids NEED those like you to mentor them, and I'm a damn poor replacement, you sefish 'Did my 40 years It Seems Like' sumbitch.

(heh)

[Warkitty]

Shot... did you pull him with you when you fell trying to get into your apartment all those years ago?

[gridbug]

We as police officers just got the old "were poor and can't pay you"

And just how long did it take to expect to hear that? All City employees are used to it... From one administration to the next, at least this is consistent.

[Kordax]

I'd love to read a frank expose of new greenways & public safety; the deployment of extra patrols & extra resources to the greenways means that _________________ neighborhoods no longer have the same level of public safety patrols & resources thanks to demands from both politcians & riverfront benefactors/beneficiaries .....

[LimitedRecourse]

We'll just pull them from Hixson.

[Tsavodiner]

Aww, it warn't no trouble.

You set me to thinking, and I went and visited 'old friends'. On her headstone, the date of her passing hit me between the eyes like a bullet:

Forty years TO THE DAY of our little soiree'.
Never underestimate the power of "anniversary events".