Park Vision
Partnership is at the heart of Walden’s Ridge Park.
A diverse coalition of private and public conservation partners are committed to creating the 200-acre dynamic park on Walden’s Ridge. Success of this project entails permanent conservation of the land and public access for mountain bikers, climbers, trail runners, and hikers.
Each of the Walden’s Ridge Park partners are working toward this shared vision while also filling a critical role.
North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy
Current owner and manager of the property with a strong working relationship with the
surrounding community.
Southeastern Climbers Coalition
Focusing on the development of bouldering areas, climbing access trails, and volunteer
projects.
The Land Trust for Tennessee
Coordinating park fundraising, supporting land transactions and transfer to Hamilton County,
and holding a permanent conservation easement on the property.
Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association
Managing all mountain bike trail planning and development, working closely with the
International Mountain Biking Association.
Hamilton County Parks and Recreation
Building necessary infrastructure (e.g. parking lots, park benches, restrooms) and serving as the
long-term owner and manager of the park.
A Vision & Conservation Success for the Community.
The roots of Walden’s Ridge Park trace back to 2016, when members of North Chickamauga Creek Conservancy (NCCC) and The Land Trust for Tennessee met on a part of the property that had been donated to NCCC for the protection of its amazing views. It was during that strenuous hike up the side of Walden’s Ridge that a big idea was born – what if we conserved the area and made it available as a multi-use park for climbers, trail runners, hikers, and mountain bikers?
Over the last few years, a diverse coalition of conservation partners and community leaders have rallied around this vision. Climbers, mountain bikers, land experts, and community leaders all began fundraising and planning to make the park happen. In June 2018, the Hamilton County Commission approved a resolution to accept and manage the proposed park upon its completion. NCCC then acquired additional parcels in July of 2018 to make the future park even larger.
Work continued and partners secured key grants from the state’s Recreational Trails Program Grant, Lyndhurst Foundation, Hydroflask, Riverview Foundation, and REI to get the project moving forward, and they selected IMBA Trail Solutions, a world-class trail building organization, to create a comprehensive plan for the property.
Now, the partners are well into the trail building and construction phase. With a final fundraising push, the partners are aiming to open in September 2023.
Learn how to get involved here.
