Ellington

Improvements and new features are on the way to Heritage Park this summer.

Electrical outlets and an overhead light have already been installed in the park’s pavilion, which can be used by those renting the on-site Heritage House facility. More parking, a restored pedestrian bridge, a life-size chess set and nighttime movie showings are also planned to become a reality later this season, according to Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Director of Parks Glenn Sheppard.

“Any day of the week you can see anyone from one to 100 out there walking the trails and enjoying the park,” he said. “This is a well-developed park and it’s being well-used.”

That’s part of the reason Sheppard said he and his staff are working hard to see that gravel is added to the current overflow parking lot and that the covered pedestrian bridge which links the facility to Bruster’s Ice Cream is restored.

The bridge is currently unsafe because someone hit it last year and knocked it off its foundation, but Sheppard said he plans to bid out a contract sometime this summer for its repair.

The installation of large chess board with 2- to 4-foot tall pieces may also occur this summer, he said. Similar to the bocce ball court, anyone interested in playing would be able to request the pieces from the staff on-site at the park.

In addition to making these updates, Sheppard said the park will also launch a “Movies in the Park” series. Through a partnership with a Bridge Christian Church, which will provide the equipment and the film, Heritage Park is slated to host at least two weekend movie showings during the summer months and hopes to include more later in the season.

“I’m hoping it works out and more people will partner with us,” he said. “There’s no reason why we can’t provide more and more of this with the right partnerships. It’s going to be a great time for families to come out and have a good time and be safe and secure while enjoying a movie. These will be family-friendly G-rated movies that have been newly released on DVD.”

For more information about the park visit www.chattanooga.gov.