Coolidge Park sits on the North Shore of the Tennessee River, beside the Walnut Street Bridge, a short walk from downtown Chattanooga. Its main draws are a restored carousel built in 1894, with 52 hand-carved animals, and an interactive water fountain where children run through the jets on warm days. Open lawns suit picnics and ball games, and the park has a free rock climbing wall and launch points for kayaks and canoes. Walk out to the river at sunset to see the light over the water and the city skyline.
From shipping yard to riverfront park
The site was once a shipping yard. The Northshore side of the river was lined with factories and foundries, and the park now sits on waterfront land reclaimed from that industrial past.
The river, the Walnut Street Bridge and the city skyline sit in one view from the lawns, which is part of what makes the park a good place to slow down.
The design and the carousel
The landscape architects Brad Good and Joe Sawyer based the park's overlapping circular walks on an aerial photograph of hot air balloons launched from the site a few years earlier.
The carousel was built in 1894 by the G.A. Dentzel Company. It has 52 hand-carved animals, has been restored, and stands inside a building with a blue roof.
The Walnut Street Bridge
The Walnut Street Bridge is one of the largest pedestrian bridges in the world and links the park to downtown. Its wooden deck is open to walkers, joggers, cyclists and Segway riders.
The bridge was closed for refurbishment until late 2026, so check its status before you plan the crossing. When it is open, the walk gives you the river and the skyline from above.
Play, paddle and picnic
Open lawns suit picnics, frisbee and ball games, and shaded walking paths give some relief in summer. The Peace Grove, a stand of trees in the park, is a quiet place to sit.
A military memorial stands in the park, and a pavilion hosts concerts and events during the season. A free rock climbing wall is open to children and adults. Outdoor Chattanooga runs a center inside the park, where you can rent bikes.
Nearby across the river
On the south side of the river, The Passage at Ross's Landing is an outdoor exhibit about the Cherokee people who lived in the Chattanooga area. It marks the site where the Trail of Tears began.
Renaissance Park sits next to Coolidge Park and has a cardboard hill that children slide down. Clumpies, which sells handcrafted ice cream, is close by for a treat after the fountain.
Perguntas frequentes
Is there an entry fee?
The park is free to enter. The rock climbing wall is also free to use.
Is the water fountain open all year?
The fountain is seasonal and is most used on hot days in summer. Check the season before you plan a visit with children.
How old is the carousel?
The carousel was built in 1894 by the G.A. Dentzel Company. It has 52 hand-carved animals and has been restored.
Can you walk across the Walnut Street Bridge?
Yes, when it is open. It was closed for refurbishment until late 2026, so check its status first, or use the Market Street Bridge, which has sidewalks.
