Edwards Point Recreation Area Proposal

This is a proposal for a multi-use recreation area for hiking, mountain biking, and personal motorized vehicles in the Edwards Point Sections of the Prentice Cooper State Forest and Tennessee River Gorge Trust.

This recreation area is intended to:

• Provide a safe area for mountain biking, hiking and motorized vehicle use that will appeal to all skill levels.
• Raise the awareness of Chattanoogans to the existence of the Edwards Point area and the recreational opportunities that it affords them.
• Provide parking, trailhead, and garbage facilities convenient to the area.
• Set precedence and act as a model for similar facilities throughout the Chattanooga area.
• Help to develop Chattanooga as a desirable tourism destination by providing convenient outdoor facilities.

Parking Facilities

Facilities will need to be developed so that there will be adequate parking for users of the Edwards Point Recreation Area. An area with parking spaces for 10-15 vehicles will probably be sufficient. These facilities will need to be near the trailhead to provide a usable parking area that will curtail the haphazard parking practices that are employed now. This will help to contain the damage to the area that occurs due to automobiles being parked on road shoulders, which exacerbates erosion and causes congestion along roadways. Trash receptacles located at these facilities will also help to keep the area attractive and enhance the recreational experience for all.

Possible locations that have been discussed between members of Bike Chattanooga, the Bike Task Force, and Chattanooga Bike Club are near the turnout for the dump site on Timberlinks Rd., at the top of the hill on Timberlinks Rd. near Edwards Point Road, and at the head of the main service road going into the Edwards Point area.

Trail Design and Development

Existing Trail System

The trail network that we propose to develop will incorporate many of the trails that are already in existence. The main access road to the point should be left in place to allow for maintenance and multi-use recreation. The multiple braided roads and workarounds that have developed over time should be blocked off and a single route should be maintained. The main entrance should be gated to control access and curtail the extensive damage that 4WD automobiles have caused, although motorcycles and four wheelers should still be allowed within the recreation area. The main trail that leads off of Timberlinks Rd. just below the old strip mine area and runs along the foot of the ridge out to the point should be left alone since it is well developed already. Signage, with directional markings, should be placed at intersections along these two "corridors", to make the area easier to navigate for new users. The other trails cut between the main road and trail are in good shape and no more development is needed along these other than trail blazing.

New Trail System

New trails could be constructed in a number of sections within the Edwards Point area. These will be developed with the supervision of the Tennessee River Gorge Trust and Prentice Cooper State Forest Service, so that sections that need to be preserved as natural areas are left alone.

Land Management

Signage and patrol of the area would be important. Trail users are more likely to obey posted guidelines, if they know they are being monitored. In addition, posting regulations at the trailhead would lessen liability concerns. Collection and disposal of refuse would also be important to keep the area clean and natural. Due to the size of the Edwards Point area, patrol could be performed upon bicycle.

Commitment

The Bicycle Task Force and Bike Chattanooga will contact the local bicycling community and ask for volunteers for the trail construction, maintenance, and security/cleanup patrols. At the present time many members of the bicycling community are enthusiastic about the opportunity to develop the area for recreational use. We are proud and excited to have this opportunity to work with the Tennessee River Gorge Trust and the Prentice Cooper State Forest Service toward making the Edwards Point area into a premiere multi-use recreation destination.

This proposal is still in tentative form but we wanted to let CBC know what was going on with Edwards Point. Patrick Gilligan is the main contact for Bike Chattanooga and The Bicycle Task Force for this project.