The Art of Play: Area Playgrounds
When the kids have resorted to bouncing back and forth between hotel beds or playing “The Floor is Lava” around the Airbnb, you know it’s time to get outside. A day full of play shouldn’t have to cost a dime, and thanks to the plethora of playgrounds in Chattanooga and the Chattanooga-surround , it doesn’t have to! Whichever end of the city you find yourself on, there’s a playground nearby if you want to get turned upside down! Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of Chattanooga playgrounds for whichever part of the city you decide to visit! Whichever playground you decide to visit, just know that in Chattanooga we take our play seriously, and it won’t be the same without you!
Highland Park
The Blue Cross Healthy Place
A new playground in downtown Chattanooga, “The BlueCross Healthy Place at Highland Park is a partnership between the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation and three local charter schools: Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, Chattanooga Preparatory School and the Montessori School at Highland Park.” The playground offers a large, state-of-the-art play area for kids 2-5, and a separate area for kids 5-12. Kids will romp on a rubber safety mat, and there’s even an obstacle challenge course with built-in timing system so kids can challenge their own times or their friend’s! The park also includes a fitness station, basketball and tennis courts, and a sports fields
Location: 1800 Vance Avenue, Chattanooga, TN
Warner Park Playground
Miracle League of Chattanooga
Located off N Holtzclaw Avenue, the Warner Park Playground is sponsored by the Miracle League of Chattanooga. The grounds are shaded, turfed, offer kiddie swings and slides as well as adventurous climbing areas for the more rambunctious crowd. The playground is within walking distance to the 13-acre Chattanooga Zoo, so it’s easy to give the kids inspiration for the monkey bars!
Location: 301 N. Holtzclaw Ave., Chattanooga, TN
St. Elmo park
Historic Neighborhood
The St. Elmo playground is a new addition to the historic St. Elmo neighborhood, located at the base of Lookout Mountain. The playground features a Parkour-style obstacle course for older kids and even adults, but also has plenty of play options for kids of all ages. It’s completely fenced-in and surrounded by a greenway for parents to walk without worrying about their kids’ safety, and Clumpies Ice Cream is only a mile away when everyone’s worked up a sweat!
Location: St. Elmo Ave., Chattanooga, TN
Riverfront Playground
Overlooking the Tennessee River
Within sight of the Tennessee Aquarium is the Riverfront Playground, next to the Southern Belle riverboat. A smaller playground than those of St. Elmo or Warner Park, but it’s right on the riverwalk, overlooking the beautiful Tennessee River, and there’s plenty of lawn for kids and dogs to frolic on after conquering the swings. Make sure to ride down the nearby hill on a piece of cardboard, and don’t forget to walk the Walnut Street Bridge when you’re done!
Location: Ross’s Landing, Chattanooga, TN
The Imagination Station
Little Debbie Park
The Imagination Station in Ooltewah/Collegedale offers not only a massive playground in its own rights, but is also next door to free pickleball courts, a long, meandering greenway, and the new Little Debbie Park, which features pastry-shaped attractions and ninja-warrior style obstacles!
Location: 1410 Swinyar Drive, Collegedale, TN
Scramble Alley Park
Soddy Daisy
For those willing to go a bit North of Chattanooga, Scramble-Alley Park in Soddy-Daisy is a hand-built, wooden maze of castles and bridges with a real obstacle-course feel. Make sure to look before you jump!
Location: 9835 Dayton Pike, Soddy Daisy, TN
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