What a difference a year makes! Last May we were quarantined at home trying to figure out how to navigate an uncertain world and an unknown virus. Graduations were canceled. People were laid off. Businesses, schools, and even the outdoors were closed. This May, there's a sense of normalcy, businesses are hiring, schools are in session, graduations and events are happening and the outdoors are fully open! The city has a new Mayor with a new agenda and we're excited to see what's coming and share all the community events happening in Chattanooga in this month's newsletter. |
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Outdoor Chattanooga Programs |
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All About Biking in Chattanooga - Virtual Workshop
Tuesday, May 4 | 7:00 PM
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Chattanooga is a Silver Level bike-friendly city according to the League of American Bicyclists and we want to connect you with the biking scene here in the scenic city! Join us for a 'wheelie' fun workshop to learn all about biking in Chattanooga. General Manager of Bike Chattanooga, Joannah Burkhardt will give an in-depth overview on how to utilize the Chattanooga Bike Share system, and Kat (the bike lady) Volzer, Chattanooga Bike Club's advocacy director and local cycling instructor will cover basic bicycle safety, rules of the road, signaling, bike commuting, and other fun resources. There will be plenty of time for Q&A. As a thank you, attendees will receive a rental from Bike Chattanooga, stickers, and bike lights.
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Rapid Learning Skills Sessions
May 5, 12, 19, 26 | 6:00 or 7:00 PM
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Rapid Learning skills sessions resume on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at the Lake at Chester Frost County Park. Just like before, these classes will occur every Wednesday night through the end of September and there are still 2 sessions to choose from, 6:00 or 7:00 PM. We provide all the equipment and instruction. Your first visit is free! Online registration required in advance as space is limited. Membership based program after the first free session. Call 423-643-6888 to learn more.
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Bike Commuting 101
May 11 | 6:00 PM
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Outdoor Chattanooga's League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructors (LCI’s) have the training and expertise to teach you how to safely and predictably ride your bike on the road. Using video tutorials, a Q&A, and a group ride, our instructors will teach you and techniques for driving your bicycle in traffic. This free class is offered at Outdoor Chattanooga. Online registration required in advance. Call 423-643-6888 to learn more.
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Learn to Skateboard Clinics
Saturday, May 15, and 29 | 9 - 11 AM
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Ready to kick start your skateboarding adventures? Not sure how to get started or what gear to use? Outdoor Chattanooga's Learn to Skateboard class is for you!
Join Outdoor Chattanooga and local skateboard experts for a FREE 90-minute class that will introduce you to the wonderful world of skateboarding! Experienced instructors will teach foundational skills such as body and foot positioning, balancing, pushing, turning, and tic tacking, plus how to fall safely, skate park etiquette, and basic equipment care. Classes are taught at Chatt Town Skate Park and are appropriate for ages 8 and up. We encourage adults to try too! All equipment including skateboard, helmet, wrist guards, and knee pads are provided for free or participants can bring their own. Online reservations are required in advance. We limit one free class per person per year. Call 423-643-6888 to learn more.
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Rock Climbing at the Walnut Wall
Sunday, May 16 | 2 - 5 PM
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Outdoor Chattanooga's experienced rock climbing staff will open the Walnut Wall in Coolidge Park on Sunday, May 16 from 2-5 PM to give you the opportunity to try vertical rock climbing. This is top-roped climbing (which requires a harness, rope, and a belayer) with route difficulty varying from beginner to intermediate. We provide all the equipment and instruction for free so you don't need prior experience to participate and all you have to do is show up ready to rock climb! Online registration is required in advance as space is limited. We will offer 6 different 30-minute sessions beginning at 2:00 pm, ending at 5:00 pm on Sunday, May 16. This is to reduce group size and allow participants a full 30 minutes to climb. Participants must register in advance and complete an online waiver before participating. Parents must sign for minors.
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Local Outdoor Adventure Spotlight |
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May is National Bike Month - Let's Ride! |
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May is National Bike Month and we want to encourage our readers to get out and bike more! To do that, we created a family-friendly bike route along the Tennessee Riverwalk complete with recommendations of local places to stop at and grab a bite to eat, a cold drink, or a sweet treat. This may even be the perfect experience to gift your mom on Mother's Day. Don't own a bike? No problem! The route begins at a Bike Chattanooga station and there are plenty of stations along the route and around town to give this local adventure spotlight a try.
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The Tennessee Riverpark (commonly called the Riverwalk) is a paved path that extends 16 miles along the Tennessee River from Chickamauga Dam, through downtown, into historic St. Elmo. It's one of the city's greatest assets and coolest ways to travel through the city. There are multiple access points and trailheads along this 16-mile path so we've created an interactive google map to help you navigate and find the trailhead closest to you. You can also check out and print the map below to carry with you.
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The adventure begins in St. Elmo, at the Wheland Foundry Trailhead (pictured above) on Middle Street. It has a large parking lot, restroom facilities, a water fountain, and a bike repair station. You can use your own bike or rent a bike from Bike Chattanooga at this trailhead.
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The St. Elmo section of the Riverwalk offers great views of Lookout Mountain, a bridge over Chattanooga Creek, and a sort of haunting beauty in the abandoned buildings from the old industrial era of Chattanooga. You'll pass the Chestnut Street Trailhead, go under the I-24 interstate, pedal up a small hill to be rewarded with the view pictured above. Take a moment to take in the view and catch your breath before coasting down the hill and pedaling past the old Alstom buildings. Up next: Blue Goose Hollow trailhead is hard to miss with its large colorful sculptures. It offers restrooms and another bike station. Keep rolling past the riverfront housing to the end of the newest section of the Riverwalk which starts/ends at Springhill Suites Marriot on Riverfront Pkwy.
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Take a left onto Riverfront Pkwy and follow the sidewalk past Erwin Marine, the Southern Belle, Ross's Landing, and the Tennessee Aquarium. Take a moment to check out the sights and ride to the end of the city pier. You can either veer left and follow the boardwalk to the zig-zag switchbacks or ride up the sidewalk on Riverfront Parkway to the Hunter Museum of American Art.
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Once you reach the Hunter Museum, you can cruise around the Bluff View Art District, before going over Holmberg Bridge (formerly a glass bridge). Be sure to pause at the overlook by the museum to get the view of Walnut Street Bridge (pictured below). Be sure to dismount and walk your bike across the Holmberg Bridge for your's and other's safety. You can take the alternative path down High Street if the bridge is closed for construction. Either way, you end up on the Walnut Street Bridge, which you'll cross into North Shore.
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Once you've crossed the bridge, you've reached your destination and hopefully had a "wheelie" fun ride! If you've rented a bike from Bike Chattanooga, you can check it in at the Coolidge Park station, right in front of Outdoor Chattanooga. While you're there, you can stop in and say hello, use the restroom and get info from the helpful staff about all things outdoor-related. Below is a link for the bike route and recommended restaurants. Continue the adventure by exploring Coolidge and Renaissance Parks or grabbing some snacks, cool drinks, or something sweet. There's plenty of great places near Coolidge Park and at either end of the Walnut Street Bridge. Again, check out our interactive google map to plot out this adventure and treat your momma to something fun and sweet this Mother's Day!
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Lula Lake Mountain Miler Race
May 15 & 16
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Lula Lake's race series continues in 2021 with The Mountain Miler! Trail runners and mountain bikers get to choose from a 10-mile or 18-mile course that utilizes Lula Lake's famous trail systems. The race will be divided between two days. Trail runners will compete on Saturday, May 15. Mountain bikers will compete on Sunday, May 16. This is a socially distant, independent race where racers track their own time via the Strava app. The registration deadline is the day before the race.
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Sunset Cinema in Miller Park
May 22 & 29 | 7:30 PM
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The City of Chattanooga Open Spaces Division will host free movies in Miller Park starting May 22. Come sprawl out on the lawn and enjoy a movie on the big screen with your friends and neighbors. Seating is first come first serve. Pre-movie activities start at 7:30 pm. Movies start at 8:30 pm.
May 29th | Movie: Guardians of the Galaxy, in partnership with Chattanooga Food Bank. Bring non-perishable goods to donate.
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Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga | Sunday, May 23
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Sunbelt Bakery IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga presented by McKee returns to the Scenic City on Sunday, May 23. The race begins bright and early with a 1.2 mile swim in the Tennessee River down to Ross's Landing on Riverfront Pkwy where racers transition for the 56-mile bike course and then again for the 13.1-mile run along the Tennessee Riverwalk. Check out the racecourse, and local traffic impact. Volunteers are needed! If you're interested in being a part of the magic on race day without racing, register to volunteer! There's a great need for paddlers to assist with the swim portion of the race. If you're a competent paddler with your own equipment, click here to volunteer.
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Regional Transportation Planning Survey |
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Outdoor Chattanooga | 423.643.6888 | info@outdoorchattanooga.com | www.outdoorchattanooga.com |
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