The City of East Ridge and East Ridge Parks and Recreation hosted a dedication and ribbon cutting of the two canoe launches funded by the Lyndhurst Foundation at Camp Jordan Park last Saturday.
Bruz Clark of the Lyndhurst Foundation was joined by East Ridge City officials and those who worked to complete the Creek and Cherokee launches named after the Indian tribes that once inhabited the park.
Mr. Clark thanked those who worked together to complete the projects and spoke about the importance of the launches to the Blueway System.
East Ridge Parks and Recreation Director Stump Martin said he can't thank Bruz Clark and the Lyndhurst Foundation enough for what has been done for East Ridge and Camp Jordan Park.
"These canoe launches help to provide a better quality of life through recreation for those who will use the launches for canoe outings," Mr. Martin said. "We scheduled this dedication in conjunction with the annual Tennessee River Rescue that was celebrating 25 years of cleaning the contributories that feed the river."
East Ridge City Services Supervisor Melvin Petty was impressed with the results of the work done by volunteers at Spring Creek and Camp Jordan headed by Larry Clerk and Jim Ledbetter.
"They pulled 121 car tires, one truck tire and more than 3,000 pounds of trash from Spring Creek and Camp Jordan," Mr. Petty said.
Mr. Martin said outdoor enthusiasts are already enjoying the beauty and the recreation provided by the launches on the West Chickamauga and South Chickamauga Creeks at Camp Jordan.
"Bruz Clark and the Lyndhurst Foundation went the extra mile to make the launches destinations," Mr. Martin said. "The landscaping and the beauty captured by the efforts of Phillips/Creasy landscaping provide a natural habitat that creates a serene setting.
"However, there is still work to be done by the Parks and Recreation staff," Mr. Martin added. "Parks Supervisor Bill Owens and his staff water the vegetation around the launches almost on a daily basis in a effort to protect the beauty."
Mr. Martin said walkers and cyclists enjoying the park's two-mile paved walking track stop frequently when the staff is watering to comment on the beauty of the area.
The Lyndhurst Foundation provided more than $230,000 in funding for the Cherokee and Creek launches.