According to a recent article in the Chattanooga Times-Free Press, the Lookout Mountain Conservancy is attempting to raise $2.5 million to purchase two tracts totalling 90 acres near Covenant College on Lookout Mountain. They recently bought options for the two tracts after plans to build an $80 million housing complex on the property fell through.
The article quotes Lookout Mountain Conservancy chief executive Robyn Carlton as saying "This site is a key link in the chain of public green space and trails we hope will eventually stretch from Chattanooga to Gadsden, Alabama.
The Conservancy was organized in 1991 as the Lookout Mountain Protection Association. This is its biggest fundraising effort, so far.
Frank Brock, former President of Covenant College, organized a group of investors two years ago to buy the property for up to 160 residential sites and a 60 unit assisted living center. The project to develop this site was dropped after Lookout Mountain, GA commissioners voted against it.
The Lookout Mountain Conservancy agreed to buy the two properties, assuming they're able to raise the funds. While two houses already on the land would be sold for private use, most of it would be preserved as is. A hiking trail would be built to connect with other greenways and Covenant College.
Gail Bryan, who helped organize Lookout for Smart Growth in opposition to the earlier proposed development and lives on 10 acres across the road from the site, says she and others on Lookout Mountain are eager to see the land protected.
The article states that the plan is for Chattanooga's Tennessee Riverwalk to eventually connect with trails that begin at the base of Lookout Mountain, providing a greenway and hiking trail system for 93 miles along Lookout Mountain, spanning seven counties in three states.
"Our goal by the time that the Riverwalk gets to the foot of Lookout Mountain in five to seven years is to have a trail system the entire 93 miles of the mountain", Ms. Carlton said.
Adapted from an article by Dave Flessner in the Chattanooga Times-Free Press.
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