In The Know with Gino: An Ambitious Revamp for Montague Park

Chattanooga, TN – In a momentous announcement on Wednesday, Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors revealed its ambitious new vision plan for Montague Park, one that promises to transform the city’s largest downtown green space into a breathtaking, accessible, and cohesive public oasis.

Collaborating with a diverse group of stakeholders including the Chattanooga Design Studio, Montague Sculpture Fields, Chattanooga Football Club Foundation, Clinicos Medicos, landscape architects from Reed Hilderbrand, HK Architects, and the local community, the Montague Park Vision Plan aims to reinvigorate this iconic park with a focus on art and culture, recreation and diversity, community engagement, and health and wellness.

At the heart of this visionary proposal is the goal to enhance the park’s appeal to its two primary user groups: Sculpture Fields at Montague Park and the Chattanooga Football Club Foundation. The release notes that “Heart and Front Porch” will introduce a wealth of new programs and community offerings, spanning ecology, art, culinary experiences, and communal gatherings.

Mayor Tim Kelly, expressing his enthusiasm for the project, stated, “The Montague Park Vision Plan is transformational – intentionally designed to unleash the unifying forces of entertainment, sports, and food amidst greenscaping that is quintessentially Chattanoogan. Montague will become the place for community building in the heart of Chattanooga and one of America’s most envied urban parks.”

The plan outlines several key enhancements, including a revitalized Sculpture Fields section, an open-air sculpture park showcasing a remarkable collection of over 50 artworks by globally renowned artists. This section builds upon the legacy and vision of the late John Henry. Visitors can look forward to improved landscaping, pathways, new ravines, bridges, and an arboretum-like setting with “garden galleries” that seamlessly blend art with nature. A new event lawn and sculptural stage will further enrich the visitor experience.

The Chattanooga Football Club Foundation is set to benefit from the park’s expansion as well, with plans for three new artificial play fields, complete with lighting, ample spectator seating areas, locker rooms, a crossfit studio, and vending facilities. Importantly, these fields will be accessible to the community outside of practice times, offering flexible spaces for large-scale community events.

In the park’s central area, aptly named “The Heart,” visitors of all ages and abilities will find an array of play elements, including slides, swings, nature-themed play areas, and scrambles. Additionally, a network of trails and overlook bridges will provide stunning vistas of Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and the downtown skyline.

The Community Front Porch, situated along Polk Street, will serve as the main entrance and a civic hub, offering visitors a unique “park within a park” experience. Shaded pavilions, running the length of the park, will provide seating, picnic spots, BBQ areas, a splash pad, outdoor games, restrooms, market space, and maintenance/volunteer support facilities.

This ambitious Montague Park vision aligns seamlessly with the recently adopted Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors Plan. For a sneak peek into the exciting changes coming to Montague Park, residents and enthusiasts are encouraged to visit the Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors Facebook Page, where images and updates on the project are available.

As this visionary plan unfolds, it promises to elevate Montague Park into a cherished destination that will captivate locals and inspire envy among urban park enthusiasts nationwide.

SOURCE: News Channel 9