Chattanooga Reopens Riverwalk, Expands Trailhead Near Erlanger Park

The city's key riverside trail features new lighting, landscaping, and parking upgrades to handle increased visitors.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:37pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An impressionistic, blurred photograph of people enjoying a riverfront trail, with the distant city skyline visible through the hazy light and color.The reopened Tennessee Riverwalk in Chattanooga offers an enhanced outdoor recreation experience for residents and visitors.Chattanooga Today

Chattanooga has reopened a key stretch of the Tennessee Riverwalk after months of construction upgrades. The improvements include new lighting, updated landscaping using native trees and recycled materials from the former U.S. Pipe and Wheland Foundry site, and an expanded parking lot at the West 26th Street trailhead to accommodate more visitors as development continues in the Foundries District.

Why it matters

The Riverwalk serves as a major recreation and transportation route for walkers, runners, and cyclists in Chattanooga. The upgrades aim to enhance access and handle increased usage as the surrounding Foundries District continues to grow and attract more residents and visitors.

The details

The Riverwalk and West 26th Street trailhead, located outside Erlanger Park in the Foundries District, have undergone several improvements. The Riverwalk now features new lighting and updated landscaping using native trees and materials reused from the former U.S. Pipe and Wheland Foundry site. The parking lot at the West 26th Street trailhead has expanded from 9 spaces to 26 to accommodate more visitors.

  • The Riverwalk and West 26th Street trailhead reopened in April 2026 after months of construction.

The players

City of Chattanooga

The local government that oversaw the Riverwalk and trailhead upgrades.

Raquetta Dotley

A Chattanooga city councilwoman who worked with the community throughout the construction project.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Public Works thanked residents for their patience during construction and credited Councilwoman Raquetta Dotley for working with the community throughout the closure.”

— Public Works

The takeaway

The Riverwalk upgrades demonstrate Chattanooga's commitment to improving public infrastructure and outdoor recreation spaces to support the growing Foundries District and meet the needs of the community.