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Everything you need to know as the Tennessee Riverwalk turns 30

riverwalk

Work on connecting South Chickamauga Greenway and the Riverwalk is ongoing. After its completion, possible projects include extensions into Alton Park, South Chattanooga + North of the River. | NOOGAtoday

Table of Contents

By Brianna Williams

The Tennessee Riverwalk turns the big 3-0 this year + while adults may feel existential dread at hitting that milestone, we’ve got nothing but pride and nostalgia when thinking about how far the 13-mile trail has come.

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A timeline of the riverwalk’s growth

1989: The first phase — a 2-mile section — is completed near the C.B. Robinson Bridge.

1991: TVA expanded the riverwalk to the base of the Chickamauga Dam. The expansion includes amenities such as a large picnic pavilion, trail shelters, a handicapped-accessible fishing pier + a boat launch.

1993-95: More segments are added to join Ross’s Landing + the Bluff View Art District.

1996: The new Chattanooga Rowing Center + connecting Riverwalk segment are completed.

1997-98: Officials approve a riverwalk extension that connects the Bluff View Art District to connect to the Rowing Center.

1999: The North Shore riverwalk, which includes Coolidge Park, is completed.

2005: A 5-mile piece of the Riverwalk that connects Hubert Fry Fishing Center’s boat launch to the Rowing Center is finished, along with a path to the Hunter Museum of American Art.

2016: Officials announced the connection of the South Chickamauga Greenway to the riverwalk. The project is supposed to be completed by next fall.

Now: Work on connecting South Chickamauga Greenway and the Riverwalk is ongoing. After its completion, possible projects include extensions into Alton Park, South Chattanooga + North of the River.

Map with entry points to the riverwalk

Things to do along the riverwalk

  • Hunter Museum of American Art | Art district | 10 Bluff View Ave. | If you don’t have time to stop inside the museum, check out the amazing sculpture gardens nearby.
  • Boathouse Rotisserie and Bar | Amnicola Highway | 1459 Riverside Drive #4312 | This stop along the Riverwalk is also a great place to park for your Riverwalk journey.

  • Tennessee Aquarium | Downtown | 1 Broad St. | A fabulous start to your riverwalk journey, the aquarium itself can provide a full day’s worth of fun.
  • Coolidge Park | North Shore | 150 River St. | Coolidge Park is the perfect place to stop, relax + enjoy the views.
  • L2 Outside | North Shore | 131 River St. | L2 Outside offers great stand up paddle + kayak rentals if you’re ready to get out on the river.
  • Adventure Sports Innovation | North Shore | 191 River St. | If you’re feeling extra outdoorsy, ASI provides lots of fun river activities, from stand up paddling to a waterbike you can bring on the river.

Readers’ favorites

We asked you on Facebook and Instagram to share your favorite spots on the riverwalk + you guys had some fine feedback.

“The curtain pole road pond area is my favorite. Lots of great wildlife there. I’ve seen hooded merganser, pileated woodpecker and belted Kingfisher, and a friend of mine even made a photograph of a bald eagle there once.” – @philthach

“I use to work for Olan Mill before I retired. We had access to the river walk and sometimes we would take a long lunch and walk down toward downtown to the park and get lunch. That was so refreshing.” – @wglindner2010

“My fav is St Elmo end to downtown and back - love to see the transformation of the Wheland Foundry property.” – @jaolangston

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