After nearly 15 years sitting idle, the Sims property on McFarland Road will have a new life. Lookout Mountain Conservancy has acquired and is restoring the property and would like the input of Lookout Mountain community residents. On January 18, two community meetings were held at the Fairyland Mountain Hall. Matt Whitaker of WMWA Landscape Architects presented concept drawings for a community park to be built at the former site of the Fairyland Courts, which is just a short distance away from the Fairyland Mountain Hall.
In 1948, Jesse Sims purchased 10 acres of what is now referred to as the Sims property on top of Lookout Mountain. The Sims family developed the property into the Fairyland Courts, which was known for its walking trails and gardens. Lookout Mountain Conservancy and WMWA Landscape Architects hope to restore this property with the family in mind and create a place where the community can grow together.
Attendees of these meetings were encouraged to voice their opinions about the restoration of the land they love. Some ideas for this new community park include a free play lawn; a renovated pavilion with a pergola; a play court for bocce and shuffleboard; a bird, butterfly and herb garden; a floral garden walk; an adventure playground; a learning garden with an amphitheater; a parking lot with 18 spaces for those who choose to drive to the park; and a sunning lawn with a hammock garden. To further encourage community engagement, attendees of these meetings were given the opportunity to vote on how they would like Lookout Mountain Conservancy to prioritize the park development.
Community members’ opinions about the property were taken into account, and the tally of these votes offered the first glimpse of community priorities as the park is built. The highest priority was the pavilion, then the learning garden, followed by the hammock garden. Woodland restoration was followed by the playground and the bocce court. Community members also had the chance to submit their own ideas for consideration in the park renovations. Look for more information about the development of the Sims property in coming months!
by Emma Blair
In 1948, Jesse Sims purchased 10 acres of what is now referred to as the Sims property on top of Lookout Mountain. The Sims family developed the property into the Fairyland Courts, which was known for its walking trails and gardens. Lookout Mountain Conservancy and WMWA Landscape Architects hope to restore this property with the family in mind and create a place where the community can grow together.
Attendees of these meetings were encouraged to voice their opinions about the restoration of the land they love. Some ideas for this new community park include a free play lawn; a renovated pavilion with a pergola; a play court for bocce and shuffleboard; a bird, butterfly and herb garden; a floral garden walk; an adventure playground; a learning garden with an amphitheater; a parking lot with 18 spaces for those who choose to drive to the park; and a sunning lawn with a hammock garden. To further encourage community engagement, attendees of these meetings were given the opportunity to vote on how they would like Lookout Mountain Conservancy to prioritize the park development.
Community members’ opinions about the property were taken into account, and the tally of these votes offered the first glimpse of community priorities as the park is built. The highest priority was the pavilion, then the learning garden, followed by the hammock garden. Woodland restoration was followed by the playground and the bocce court. Community members also had the chance to submit their own ideas for consideration in the park renovations. Look for more information about the development of the Sims property in coming months!
by Emma Blair
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