Jefferson Heights Playground

Hi everyone! My name is Katie Knutson. I was so honored that Olivia wanted me to do a write up for her Play Chattanooga blog! It’s a great idea, and we all need the trusted, friendly advice from fellow families to explore new places! I am a homeschooling mom of three, an art teacher, an artist, a blogger, and I love exploring!
Ah, Jefferson Heights. It is shining little neighborhood gem in the heart of Southside Chattanooga. I lived there for six years, and they were exciting ones! In the heart of this surprisingly quiet neighborhood is a city park, and it has some inviting qualities for those looking to be downtown, but at the same time pause in a quiet “off the beaten path” place. 

PICNIC? Yes.
SWIMSUIT? No. SUNSCREEN? Absolutely!
COST? None.
AUTHOR’S RATING? 4 stars (mostly for lack of year round bathrooms!)
HOURS? A park ranger comes to open and close the bathrooms, so I’d say it’s fully functional from 9am til dusk. Except during the winter months when the bathrooms are always closed.

This park was once the site of an elementary school. After the school was closed in the 70’s, the surrounding neighborhood became almost non-existent. In recent years, developers and local non-profit groups have concentrated their efforts on Jefferson Heights and this park. 
There is a funky pavilion designed with reused materials from the parks previous pavilion by an architect that lives in the neighborhood. It’s a great place for shade, or a small birthday party.

There are community gardens, that the neighbors maintain, so no picking! But it’s a great learning tool to see flowers, and veggies growing right in the park! 

There is a beach volleyball court that is maintained pretty well with court lines installed and a good net. Don’t pull on it, kids! It’s a perfect place for bigger kids, teens, and parents to play! My husband and his friends love to take the kids to play on the playground and they can play volleyball within arms reach. The court also doubles as a fun sand pit when games are not being played! I have seen many a Tonka truck loading up sand and many sandcastles built on the volleyball court. 

There is a playground that is toddler and bigger kid friendly. It has a rubber ground, so scraped knees happen less. Next to the playground is a huge tree. Perfect for shade, which you will need. This park is in the middle of the neighborhood and can get very hot on a sunny summer day. I would definitely plan your visit around the shade or earlier in the day or later in the evening. After living there, I have found that toughing it out in the middle of the day is not fun. 

Another great amenity to this park are the winding, relatively flat sidewalks. This is a great park for scooters and young bikers. There is also a large green space for soccer games. Sometimes you will find there are goals out too, as the neighbors pulled together to buy them for the park. This park is pet friendly, although keep your doggies leashed! 

The neighbors are very friendly, and all sorts of people use the park. It is a great resource for a quick lunchtime picnic while bopping around downtown, an evening of play and volleyball, or your next birthday party.  It isn’t as big and busy as some more well known parks, so you will find a place that you can keep an eye on everyone and sit and relax. 

{MAP FOR JEFFERSON HEIGHTS PLAYGROUND}