To access this portion of the Greenway, you must park at the Greenway Farm on the Hixson side and walk, run, or jog to the other side. Since this includes going up hill to the quarry area, this isn't feasible for anyone needing wheelchair or walker access. I have seen folks pushing baby buggies up the hills and through the area though.
The good news is that THERE IS access for those needing to use a wheelchair or a walker on the dam side. There is even parking designated for those who have the required parking tags.
For the most part, this area of the Greenway is kept up rather well considering one cannot access it from the dam side. The workers keep the restroom facility in order, the trails clear, and the grass mowed. There is some work that would need to be done if this facility were to be reopened.
And that is my point in writing. WHY ISN'T THIS FACILITY OPEN?!?!? It was originally closed because of the dam work on the lock. However, that work is now on hold. I don't understand why the access on the dam side to the Greenway couldn't be reopened until the dam lock work starts back (whenever that might be). [See link at bottom of post on the dam and lock.]
The lower loop trail is fully accessible for a wheelchair or a walker, even a cane. But, if someone didn't want to use the trail, there are picnic tables in addition to the big picnic pavilion (seen top left in the photo of the handicapped parking spots and by itself below).
To my knowledge, this inaccessible location is the only handicapped accessible trail located in the woods (with labeled trees) in the Chattanooga area.
But it's not just for folks needing those facilities, it is a wonderful place for all people to enjoy.
There are grassy areas for kids of all ages to play.
There is access to the water via these steps.
And, of course there is the walking trail. There are several choices. There is the lower loop, the upper loop. The Boy Scout trail is also accessible from this side. One can even take the trail to the quarry if one wishes. Here is a map of all the trails at the Greenway Farm.
However, IF one wishes to enjoy the picnic pavilion on the dam side, one must walk from the Hixson side. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy the Hixson side of the Greenway Farm. There is much to offer on that side too. There are wonderful open spaces to run and play. There is the Wildflower Trail. There is the dog park. There is the rental facility (former home). There are walking paths. But, it's not very user friendly for folks who might need to use a walker, a cane, or especially a wheelchair.
At this point in my life, I'm okay with the walking all the way over to get to the hidden treasure. Yet, if I need knee surgery again.... or if I need hip surgery.... or if I become dependent on a cane, a walker, or a wheelchair..... I would like to be able to enjoy the beauty of this spot. And it isn't just about or for me. I think about this property that is sitting unused by the majority of our community because they simply can't get to it easily, whether they need the accessible areas or not. Families with young children, anyone with injuries, groups that would like to use the pavilion, ETC.
City of Chattanooga, if we are not moving forward with the work on the dam lock, then why can't this area be opened up on the dam side?
It's a beautiful place! I hope the blocks will be removed in the near future so that more people in the community can use this place as it was intended to be used and as many of us used it in the past.
Maybe folks aren't bothered about this portion of the Greenway not being open to the public. Maybe folks are okay with it being shut down and inaccessible to the community. That's cool. But, there might be a few folks that didn't even realize they were missing out on such a wonderful hidden (blocked) treasure. Maybe, just maybe, someone that can re-open the road (or at least explain why it won't be re-opened) will somehow hear the message and respond.
Walking onward on the journey,
Debra
MORE PICTURES:
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| Newly renovated benches on the dam side of the trail; overlooks a rope swing and the creek. |
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| This bridge begins the walking trail on the dam side, from the parking lot. |
Check out the links below for additional information:
Information on the Boy Scout Trail from the North Chick website:
Length: Approximately 1.3 milesDifficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Uses: Foot Traffic Only
The Boy Scout Trail is located within TVA’s Big Ridge Small Wild Area. The trail makes a loop, going to the top of Big Ridge and back down to the Greenway. The entirety of the trail is dirt singletrack, and it goes through some of the oldest forest in the North Chickamauga Creek watershed.
Access: The Boy Scout Trail branches off of the North Chickamauga Creek Greenway about 0.7 miles from the parking lot next to the Outdoor Chattanooga barn. Take the Greenway up and over the quarry and past the Upper Loop. The Boy Scout Trail is the first trail on the left past the southernmost turn-off for the Upper Loop.
Information on the dam and lock from the US Army Corps of Engineers
Article in Chattanooga Times-Free Press, January 30, 2014 about the lock and dam
Hear, hear! Open the dam park!
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