Coolidge Park is one of my favorite places in Chattanooga. I don’t know if it’s because of the view of the river and Downtown Chattanooga, or the circular layouts and the learning walk, or what but the park is by far my favorite park in the Scenic City. This week I’m sharing 5 facts you may not know about the park. 

Coolidge Park was named after Medal of Honor recipient

In August of 1945 “Coolidge Riverside Park” was announced as the name for the 22 acre park development. It was named to honor Charles H. Coolidge holder of the Congressional Medal of Honor. When officially naming the park Mayor Bass was quoted saying, “a grateful city wishes you and your deeds of valor to be remembered by this memorial”.

Coolidge Park was once home to a Navy Reserve Armory 

Coolidge Park housed a Naval Revere Armory for around 50 years. Dedicated in October of 1947 the Navy Reserve Armory was where the Navy Operational support center was located until 1997 when it moved to it’s current location. 

The Park as we now know it has been around since the turn of the century 

That sentence just made you feel old didn’t it? If it didn’t this next one might. The park as we know it was build in 1999 with the official opening on October 16th of that year.

The Coolidge Park Carousel has not always been a Tennessee local

The Coolidge Park Carousel has called the park home since 1998 after living in at least 3 other states once it was built in 1894. The original location of the carousel is unknown. For most of the first half of the 20th century the carousel was in New Bedford, MA. Then it was bringing smiles to faces in Rochester, NY for a little over a decade. Before moving to the Scenic City the Dentzel Frame Carousel called Atlanta, GA home from 1966 – 1978. 

Coolidge Park holds four awards

Did you know parks could get awards? I didn’t. Coolidge Park holds 3 American Society of Landscape Architects awards and a Concrete Pavement Award. HGOR and the Riverfront Development Committee really made sure they were able to use the title “award winning park”