The four wooded hilltops of Stringer’s Ridge rise above the city of Chattanooga, their oaks and hickories threaded with walking paths and bike trails. Where soldiers clad in blue bombarded the city in the Battle of Chickamauga, neighbors take a stroll, walk their dogs, and get in quick bike rides.

In 2007, developers announced plans to construct 500 condominiums on 92-acres along Stringer’s Ridge, overlooking downtown Chattanooga. As word spread that the city’s green backdrop would soon disappear under six-story structures, the community rallied and turned to TPL to help save the historic landscape.

While the development proposal was withdrawn in the face of local opposition, the land remained unprotected. In the fall of 2008, TPL launched a campaign that would eventually protect all 92 acres of the ridge. In fall 2013, the park opened to the public. Two years later, we worked with the local mountain bike club to plan and build a bike skills park for children and adults to practice and play.

In 2022, Trust For Public Land opened the White Oak Connector, a new trail along Stringer’s Ridge linking North Chattanooga from Red Bank. This became the first non-vehicular route between the two cities and offers nearby residents of Red Bank the chance to both recreate on Stringer’s Ridge and enjoy a safe commuter path to downtown Chattanooga.