Frequently Asked Questions

Who is leading this process?

The Chattanooga Design Studio has facilitated the urban design and landscape planning process for this 100-year-old civic space in partnership with Chattanooga’s Department of Parks & Outdoor Recreation. Chattanooga Design Studio has held the design contracts.

Who is paying for the planning process?

Financial support for Montague Park planning is provided by The Lyndhurst Foundation, the Benwood Foundation, and the Robert Finley Stone Foundation. The Lyndhurst Foundation’s mission is to invest in initiatives, institutions, people, and programs that contribute to the long-term livability and resilience of the greater Chattanooga region. The Benwood Foundation is a private foundation focused on supporting shared prosperity in Chattanooga through strategic grant-making, collaborative problem-solving, and adaptive leadership. 

What’s the timeline? How much will it cost?

The overall vision plan is estimated to cost $80-100 million, with a goal of being implemented over the course of 3-5 years. 

CFCF will begin work on a new field in 2024. This is just the beginning. 

Who is the national level design team?

The team is led by Reed-Hilderbrand, a firm that has made a name for itself in the activation of various types of public spaces and parks throughout the country. Notable works by Reed- Hilderbrand include the Buffalo Bayou Gardens in Houston, the Besthoff Sculpture Garden at the New Orleans Museum of Art, as well as the Storm King Art Center in New Windsor, New York. The design team included consultants with expertise in architecture, brownfields, stormwater management and green infrastructure, play and activation, wayfinding and signage, and cost estimating. 

For more information visit: www.montaguepark.com/theteam

Will the sculptures be relocated?

Yes, some existing sculptures will need to be temporarily relocated for improvements to the earthen mounds.

Who can use the sports fields? 

The fields will be mainly for CFCF usage, but a programming group will meet regularly to accept inquiry for use of all facets of the public park. CFCF’s intent is for the fields to provide public / in formal use when CFCF and other scheduled programmed events are not utilizing the space.

What else will make Montague Park stand out? 

Through the engagement process, one of the main request was for shade and native vegetation. This vision will provide hundreds of new trees, thousands of  native plants with walking trails, active play, and covered seating areas for families and the community. This vision is just as much for active play as it is a place of respite and education.  

Isn’t this site contaminated, like a superfund site? 

The City of Chattanooga and TDEC have performed nearly two decades of environmental remediation, testing and monitoring efforts to protect the public and make the site safe for all to enjoy. The design team has worked closely with all local officials to research the efforts and provide design recommendations that meet all regulatory standards. TDEC has reviewed the Montague Park Vision Plans, and indicates that planting of trees and digging for stormwater infiltration basins is safe, as long as the separation cap is maintained. 

For more information visit:    www.montaguepark.com/brownfielddefinitions

What’s the support of the Sculpture Fields and Chattanooga Football Club Foundation?

Both the Sculpture Fields at Montague Park Board and Chattanooga Football Club Foundation had two representatives each on the steering committee from the outset of this process. The SFMP Board voted on September 19th and the vision plan received full support. 

What was the public engagement process like for this project?

The design team has hosted opportunities to engage with hundreds through multiple stakeholder meetings, pop up events, the online survey, and two events hosted at La Paz and at Parkside Hall. 

https://www.montaguepark.com/events

What’s Next? 

The Montague vision plan will go before City Council to adopt in mid October. Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors staff will work with partners to create the capital funding model based on the schematic designs to be completed by Reed Hilderbrand. If funding is available, the project will be completed in the next 3-5 years. 

This is just the beginning of a long process to create Chattanooga’s next signature park. 

The planning process is being led by the Chattanooga Design Studio, and the Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors Department. The process is being guided by a steering committee. Financial support for Montague Park planning is provided by The Lyndhurst Foundation, the Benwood Foundation, and the Robert Finley Stone Foundation. This FAQ will grow as the process continues and will be updated on the website, and on social media.