Chattanooga, TN, October 3, 2025
News Summary
Chattanooga is set to receive $530,000 in grants to enhance local parks, including $500,000 for the Chattanooga Skate Park and $30,000 for DuPont Park. The funds will support significant improvements, with work slated to begin in the coming months to elevate recreational facilities and foster community engagement. Local officials are optimistic these enhancements will boost tourism and provide better experiences for residents and visitors.
Chattanooga has announced it will receive a total of $530,000 in grants aimed at enhancing local parks, specifically focusing on the Chattanooga Skate Park and DuPont Park. The bulk of this funding, a $500,000 BRAG grant, is earmarked for the Skate Park, while an additional $30,000 grant from Norfolk Southern will be dedicated to improvements at DuPont Park.
The BRAG grant will facilitate crucial site preparation and soil work necessary for establishing a new multi-modal park and skatepark in Chattanooga, with expectations to break ground on the Skate Park project this winter. In addition, Hamilton County has secured $400,000 in BRAG funds for site preparation at the same park, highlighting a significant push to enhance recreational facilities in the area.
At DuPont Park, the funds from the Norfolk Southern Thriving Communities grant will be used for various enhancements, including park cleanup, refurbishing efforts, and trail work. These improvements are aimed at elevating guest experiences and providing an appealing space for potential pet adopters from the nearby McKamey Animal Shelter to engage with animals.
Work at DuPont Park is slated to start early this spring, allowing for quicker access to upgraded facilities for the community. These recent developments come in the context of past funding challenges, such as the loss of a $20 million grant for the Alton Park trail connector project over a year ago due to federal budget cuts. In a positive turn, Tennessee State Governor Bill Lee has proposed a $15 million allocation in the state budget for 2025-2026, aimed at upkeep and updates to Chattanooga’s Riverfront Parks, with an overall projected budget of $54 million for enhancements.
Local officials from Hamilton County and various municipalities are working together to address the long-term needs of park improvements while responding to community input. Upcoming projects in the Riverfront Parks area aim to boost tourism and the local economy by adding more trees for shade, food and beverage options, establishing a pier café, and creating a designated kids’ play area.
Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp has stressed the historical lack of partnerships in park management among smaller municipalities. To encourage collaboration, a new initiative has been launched offering a $250,000 match to smaller towns looking for funding to improve their parks, contingent on approval from the County. Recent grants were also provided to other municipalities, including Soddy-Daisy, Red Bank, and Signal Mountain, to support their park development projects.
Key Highlights
- $530,000 in total grants for park improvements.
- $500,000 BRAG grant for Chattanooga Skate Park.
- $30,000 grant from Norfolk Southern for DuPont Park.
- Site preparation work to start at the Skate Park this winter.
- DuPont Park enhancements to begin early spring.
- $15 million proposed by Governor Lee for Riverfront Parks in 2025-2026 budget.
Looking Forward
Officials anticipate that these enhancements will not only elevate the recreational experiences of residents and visitors but will also serve as a catalyst for economic growth through increased tourism, improved park facilities, and community engagement initiatives.
FAQ
How much funding is Chattanooga receiving for park improvements?
Chattanooga will receive a total of $530,000 in grants for park improvements.
What specific grants have been secured for the parks?
The city has secured a $500,000 BRAG grant for the Chattanooga Skate Park, along with an additional $30,000 grant from Norfolk Southern to enhance DuPont Park.
When is the work expected to start at the Skate Park and DuPont Park?
The city hopes to break ground on the Skate Park project this winter, while work at DuPont Park is scheduled to begin early this spring.
What are the broader implications of these park improvements?
The enhancements aim to improve guest experiences, provide opportunities for community engagement, and boost tourism and the local economy.
Overview of Chattanooga’s Park Grants
| Park | Grant Amount | Purpose | Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga Skate Park | $500,000 (BRAG Grant) | Site preparation and soil work for multi-modal park and skatepark | Winter 2023 |
| DuPont Park | $30,000 (Norfolk Southern Grant) | Park cleanup, refurbishing, and trail work | Spring 2024 |
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Additional Resources
- News Channel 9: Chattanooga Receives Grants for City Parks
- Times Free Press: Chattanooga Agricultural Office and Federal Parks
- Local 3 News: Tennessee Investing $15 Million for Riverfront Parks
- Chattanoogan: City of Chattanooga Awards Neighborhood Grants
- Times Free Press: Hamilton County Grants for Parks
- Wikipedia: Chattanooga
- Google Search: Chattanooga parks grants
- Google Scholar: Chattanooga parks funding
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Chattanooga parks
- Google News: Chattanooga parks news
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
