For a few tense months, mountain bikers in Chattanooga, TN, faced losing six miles of their best singletrack to industrial development. The proposed land swap at Enterprise South Nature Park would have eliminated 38% of the bike-legal trails in the network. But after public outcry, Hamilton County has dropped plans to change the park’s deed restrictions, preserving the land for recreation and conservation.
Photos: SORBA Chattanooga Facebook
What was the controversy?
On paper, the land swap didn’t seem too bad: Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp called for designating 535 acres of land in Enterprise South for an industrial development while simultaneously preserving an adjacent 1,300 acres at the McDonald Farm. However, the 535 acres proposed for development at Enterprise South included the Atlas mountain bike trail. While official documents claim that the park offers 60 miles of trails and roads, only 15.5 miles are bike-legal singletrack. The threatened Atlas trail comprises about 38% of that mileage, at six miles long. It’s also widely regarded by local riders as one of the best trails in the network.
The local advocacy group, SORBA Chattanooga, didn’t learn about the proposed development until it came out in the news. Many residents noted that choosing between developing 535 acres of Enterprise South and preserving 1,300 acres of McDonald Farm is a false dichotomy. “We’re advocating for the preservation of both properties for outdoor recreation and conservation,” SORBA Chattanooga Executive Director Sunshine Loveless told Singletracks. “It shouldn’t be a choice between one or the other. We believe the county is capable of and should be preserving both.”
A Change.org petition to “Save Enterprise South Nature Park” gathered 12,651 signatures over the past three months as the community rallied against the proposal.
The land swap proposal has been withdrawn
“After completing due diligence related to Enterprise South Nature Park, last week the county decided not to pursue deed restriction changes to the previously identified 535 acres within the nature park,” said Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp in a press release.
“Throughout the public input process, we heard from citizens who value the nature park as well as the history and legacy of McDonald Farm,” Wamp continued. “In the months ahead, we will work with city and state officials to identify sites better suited for future job creation, while advancing a broader vision for McDonald Farm in the best interest of taxpayers.”
“Today is a good day for Enterprise South Nature Park,” wrote SORBA Chattanooga on Instagram and Facebook. “This decision preserves Enterprise South and ensures its trails remain protected and open to the public for recreation.”
“Enterprise South is one of the most heavily used outdoor spaces in our community — home to miles of trails enjoyed by hikers, mountain bikers, families, and nature lovers year-round. We’re grateful to see these lands remain protected for current and future generations,” SORBA Chattanooga continued.
“We also want to acknowledge everyone who participated in the public input process. Community engagement, transparency, and careful review matter — and this outcome reflects that.
“SORBA Chattanooga looks forward to continuing our partnership with local leaders, land managers, and community members to steward Enterprise South, while remaining a valuable stakeholder in conversations about the future of McDonald Farm.”
This trail advocacy victory in Chattanooga shows what’s possible when local trail users mobilize quickly and speak clearly about what they want. After trail losses in nearby North Carolina and ongoing threats in Nashville, it’s encouraging to see Chattanooga successfully protect these trails.
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