Rick Wood, director of the Chattanooga office of the Trust for Public Land, said TPL plans to soon donate 38 acres to the city at the new Stringer's Ridge Park.
He said the city gained title to another 37 acres at the site a year and a half ago.
Mr. Wood said the plan is to make the park a part of city parks and recreation, but he said the city will have many partners and volunteers in helping with the park, which includes several scenic hills stretching from the Stringer's Ridge Tunnel toward North Market Street.
He noted that the Tennessee River Gorge Trust is holding conservation easements at the park and has supplied numerous volunteers at the park.
Also, he said the trail group SORBA has led in the construction of numerous trails at Stringer's Ridge and has trained volunteers on how to fix trail erosion problems.
Mr. Wood said the groups are still working on a lengthy check list of items to be done before the park is thrown open to the public.
One of the latest is to identify and take down large trees that are deemed to be in danger of falling.
Jim Brown of the TRGT termed it "one of the first urban wild parks in the South. It's an extremely special place. You wouldn't believe the wildlife there."
He said, "We literally are having to hold people back from going in there. It's really that nice."
Mr. Brown said the development of the park "has brought together people from all walks of life."