If you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find some new playground areas for your kids.
I’m featuring some of the favorites of my family, as well as the families of our contributors and readers. We asked for your input on the Facebook page, and I’m sharing some quotes from our readers so you can learn from them, too! If you have a favorite not listed here, leave us a comment, and we’ll get it added.
Hixson
Vandergriff Park – 1414 Gadd Road
Something for everyone! There are structures for younger kids, older kids, even wheelchair-bound children; swings galore; a walking track; and a shelter with picnic tables.
“I love the multiple structures that are age appropriate, pavilion for picnics, and a walking path.” – Vanessa T.
Chester Frost Park – 2318 Gold Point Cir. N
Chester Frost has several playground areas: the popular “beach” playground near the entrance, which also has entrances to the lake for swimming during the warm months, and a couple age-divided structures farther into the campsites.
Rivermont Park – 3400 Lupton Drive
Near the Champions Tennis Club, this structure has handicap-access structures.
Red Bank
Kid’s Corner – 3817 Redding Road
A sweet, wooden playground tucked behind Dayton Boulevard near Red Bank Methodist Church. Completely redone recently, the area now includes a larger and smaller play structure, swings, and a giant sandbox. It is fenced all around, although the two gates were not latched and a friend’s toddler kept escaping the last time I was there. Some of the shade is also gone, but there is still one big tree.
White Oak Park – 798 Ben Miller Parkway
A great hidden gem, this park is cooler on summer mornings, with slides, climbing, and swings.
Soddy-Daisy
Kids Club Park – 150 Depot Street
Kids Club has ball fields, a small toddler park behind the ball fields, and a park for all ages with a shaded pavilion.
“Kids Park is nice because it’s beside the lake, which has picnic tables, and during the summer people swim and kayak there.” – Shannon
Scramble Alley – 9835 Dayton Pike
Located behind the Municipal Building in Soddy-Daisy, this big wooden playground has a lot of shade. The large pavilion area is available to rent for parties. There is also a sandbox and music play area.
Veterans Park – 9057 Dayton Pike
A red-white-and-blue playground with several climbing structures was added to Veterans Park a few years ago. Take some time to see the helicopter on site as well!
North Chattanooga
Hill City – 26 Trewhitt Street
Swings, a slide, and a climbing structure.
Riverview Park – 1000 Barton Avenue
A great, large play area with fenced-off area for younger children. It’s been spiffied up the last several years, and now it also has an outdoor amphitheater, areas for picnics and grilling, and a covered area with tables. It’s a little hard to get to, especially if you’re coming south on Hixson Pike, but well worth it!
St. Elmo
Elmo Playground – 4909 St. Elmo Avenue
St. Elmo’s neighborhood playground is very large, divided into different age areas, and has many of the same design elements as the infamous Pumpkin Patch. A sidewalk runs through it and makes an excellent space for riding bikes, scooters, and tricycles. The area for smaller children is fenced off. From what I understand, it may be the only playground left in the area with a zipline! Close bathrooms with a water fountain is a major plus, too.
Downtown/Amnicola Highway
Fort Negley Park – 1700 Mitchell Street
A sweet neighborhood block with slides, a merry-go-round, and climbing structures.
Ross’s Landing Park – Riverside Drive and Chestnut Street
Right on the river across the street from the aquarium, this playground has great structures and a view!
Tennessee Riverpark
- Main entrance (4301 Amnicola, “Harrison Bridge” entrance) – A great playground split into areas for younger and older children. If you get tired of playing, take a walk or ride along the Riverwalk, stop for a snack in the pavilion, or just blow bubbles and run around the large green space. Areas for grilling and picnic tables as well.
- Entrance at Lost Mound Dr. and Amnicola Highway – Even locals might not know about the “bug playgrounds” that were built a few years ago. Turn toward the river on Lost Mound Drive, and then left into the Riverpark entrance. Keep going until you see the dragonfly play structure. You can eat a picnic lunch at the covered picnic tables before journeying down the path of the “bug playgrounds.” Several different mini-structures mimic a beehive, a spider’s web, and more!
Harrison
Harrison Bay State Park – 8411 Harrison Bay Road
A quick drive into Harrison Bay will land you at their large playground, with picnic areas and plenty of space to run.
Booker T. Washington State Park – 5801 Champion Road
Play structures near the water, where you can go skip rocks when you’re done playing. Many other outdoor activities available at this spacious state park, too.
Ooltewah/Collegedale
Imagination Station – 4910 Swinyar Dr., Collegedale
Completely redone in 2015, Imagination Station is what my kids call “THE BEST PLAYGROUND EVER.” Climbing and swinging for kids of all ages and abilities, slides, tunnels, a wooden structure with sand pit, picnic area for eating, and a path for dog-walking or scootering.
“Lots of great stuff, including awesome climbing and sliding structures, sand, swings, a train. They just added ‘baby-and-mommy’ swings. Really nice for an infant.” – Betty E.
Brainerd/East Brainerd
Camp Jordan – 323 Camp Jordan Parkway
This newer playground is just stellar, from the beautiful “stained glass” art to the structures encouraging jumping, exploring, and creativity.
Heritage Park – 1428 Jenkins Road
The playground is situated in the middle of a walking path, near the dog park. Lots of sand, so bring some digging toys.
“Heritage Park has a highly visible playground, semi-wooded areas, and a creek.” – Laura M.
Standifer Gap Park and Recreation Center – 8327 Standifer Gap Road
In addition to tennis courts and a sand volleyball court, the park has a wooden playground.
East Ridge
Pioneer Frontier Playground – 1517 Tombras Avenue
A wooden playground area with slides.
Ringgold
Little Generals Park – 15 Cleveland Street
This community park in central Ringgold has a playground, a play train to climb in, and swings, as well as this Little Free Library and a walking/jogging track. According to our resident Ringgold expert, Danielle, the bathrooms are clean and there is shade, too!
Signal Mountain
Althaus Park – James Boulevard & Timberlinks Drive
Located behind the country club, this playground has lots of swings and slides, as well as green space to play and a picnic shelter for snacks.
The Pumpkin Patch – 1836 Taft Highway
The community-built Pumpkin Patch playground was updated in 2018. The layout feels cleaner, equipment has been improved or updated, and, most importantly, the giant slide is still there. Shaded year-round, the cool park is a great place to spend a few hours.
What’s your favorite Chattanooga playground?
I am well aware this is not an exhaustive list, but just some favorites around town. For a more complete listing see this post on the Times Free-Press’s site.
