Chickamauga Park Supt. Brad Bennett told members of the City Council on Tuesday that the police firing range on Moccasin Bend stands in the way of extending the Riverwalk at the historic Bend.
He said if the 33-acre shooting range is not moved, then the Riverwalk will end at the proposed Friends of Moccasin Bend National Park visitor center at Hamm Road.
But, if it is moved, the trail could extend along the shore of the Tennessee River and a Blueway could be created for boat access to the river.
He said it could also lead to the highest point on Moccasin Bend, where there are some Civil War earthworks.
Supt. Bennett said the top of the hill offers one of the most dramatic views in the Chattanooga area. He said now is it very inaccessible.
He said the city and county earlier set aside a 100-foot easement for the trail along Moccasin Bend facing downtown Chattanooga.
Police Chief Fred Fletcher said he welcomes the recent appointment of a committee to study moving the firing range to a new location.
He said, in the meantime, some $300,000 in improvements need to be made to the Moccasin Bend range. He said most of that equipment would be movable in case a new location is found.
He said the targeting system at Moccasin Bend is not fully functional and does not meet current standards.