To look forward we should first rewind and see where we have been. The story begins on January 13, 2022, the day we received the Certificate of Occupancy to move into our new Fairyland Mountain Hall. This day represented the dedicated effort of multiple mayors and councils to create a city hall to serve as the place to both gather as a community and to conduct business.
We knew using our Fairyland Mountain Hall as a place to conduct business would be easy, but what we didn’t realize was “creating a place to gather” was even easier. Glance through the list below and you can see the many events we have hosted so far.
In addition to Mountain Hall events, what about shout outs to: Kate Fuller and team for running the the first annual Hive Hustle supporting LMS and Fairyland School; Michelle and Justin Workman organizing the July 4th Parade from the Fairyland Mountain Hall to our Commons; and of course, Meg Sanford and Amber Werner’s Halloween on Hardy sponsoring our police and fire departments.
Last year, 2022, was an important and pivotal year for our community.
Keith Sanford and team completed our comprehensive plan ensuring future development will preserve and enhance the peaceful and beautiful residential nature of our community. The state of Georgia requires this plan to be updated every 10 years. Additionally, we also completed the state required strategic inventory of services and LOST (Local Options Sales Tax) negotiation, which supports the operation of the city.
On the trail and park front, the Fairy Trail Garden has a new update. In the fall of 2022, John Prescott lost his wife, Janie, to a long battle with cancer. In honor of Janie, he raised funds for Janie’s Path, connecting the patio area with the arbor in the back of the garden. The path was completed at the end of the year and is a great addition.
What Will You See in 2023?
The first annual Groundhog Day event co-sponsored by Rock City, Fairyland School and the city was held on February 2. Due to inclement weather, the event was moved to the Fairyland School gym, but next year the festivities will be at our Mountain Hall. The full Groundhog Day program can be seen in its entirety on the Lookout Mountain Georgia website. (Lookoutmtnga.com/community/page/groundhog-day-2023)
The Joe Wilson Park (corner of Red Riding Hood Trail and Lula Lake Road) is closing in on the completion of Phase 1. The beautification committee (Jimmy Campbell, Lulu Brock, Carol Brown, Rebekah Hughes, and Penny Simmons) has been leading this charge. The purchase of 3,000 jonquil bulbs funded by the Garden Club of Lookout Mountain were planted and are ready to bloom later this spring. Doug Chapin and his Rock City team provided their support in planting the bulbs. We are thankful for their partnership.
It will be a pivotal year as Robyn Carlton, executive director of the Lookout Mountain Conservancy, and her team begin reimagining the Sims interior park on McFarland Road. Several weeks ago, community forums were led by Matt Whitaker to obtain community feedback on the design.
What Does 2023 Have in Store?
We are watching the forecast closely as we anticipate rolling out “FTM (Food Truck Mondays) on the Hill” as weather permits.
Buffering will soon be in place behind the Oberon Trail parking lot.
Now that Phase 1 of the Mountain Center has been completed, we are hopeful that Phase 2 (Commercial/Retail) will begin soon. We expect to finalize a contract with a developer in the first quarter of 2023.
Work is also underway to develop a framework plan for future growth of trails and sidewalks to further connect our parks, gardens, and schools.
An exploratory committee will be formed to develop a long-term plan for recreational needs for all ages of residents of Lookout Mountain.
Later this year, the restoration of the Lookout Mountain Club’s golf course will be complete with hopes to climb the list of best courses in the U.S.
What makes Lookout a special and magical place to live? That is easy, our residents … especially you! May “2023” be a banner year for you, your family, and all the residents of our mountain.
by David S. Bennett
Mayor, Lookout Mountain, Ga.
We knew using our Fairyland Mountain Hall as a place to conduct business would be easy, but what we didn’t realize was “creating a place to gather” was even easier. Glance through the list below and you can see the many events we have hosted so far.
- Lulu Brock’s Pilates Class
- City Employee Captain Phil Shankles' Wedding
- Garden Club Meetings
- Lookout Mountain Beautiful Garden
- Club Spring Plant Sale
- Laurelwood Garden Club’s Christmas Decorations Event
- Mountain Opry
- Farm to Fork Food Truck and Pizza Oven Supporting Outdoor Events
- Return to School Splash and Dash
- Lookout Mountain Conservancy Board Appreciation Event
- Katie Bostom’s Fall Market
- Kelley Hoagland’s Santa Claus Photo Shoot
- Stockings Full of Love Christmas Event
- Brown Family Christmas Gathering
- Lookout Mountain Conservancy
- Community Forums
In addition to Mountain Hall events, what about shout outs to: Kate Fuller and team for running the the first annual Hive Hustle supporting LMS and Fairyland School; Michelle and Justin Workman organizing the July 4th Parade from the Fairyland Mountain Hall to our Commons; and of course, Meg Sanford and Amber Werner’s Halloween on Hardy sponsoring our police and fire departments.
Last year, 2022, was an important and pivotal year for our community.
Keith Sanford and team completed our comprehensive plan ensuring future development will preserve and enhance the peaceful and beautiful residential nature of our community. The state of Georgia requires this plan to be updated every 10 years. Additionally, we also completed the state required strategic inventory of services and LOST (Local Options Sales Tax) negotiation, which supports the operation of the city.
On the trail and park front, the Fairy Trail Garden has a new update. In the fall of 2022, John Prescott lost his wife, Janie, to a long battle with cancer. In honor of Janie, he raised funds for Janie’s Path, connecting the patio area with the arbor in the back of the garden. The path was completed at the end of the year and is a great addition.
What Will You See in 2023?
The first annual Groundhog Day event co-sponsored by Rock City, Fairyland School and the city was held on February 2. Due to inclement weather, the event was moved to the Fairyland School gym, but next year the festivities will be at our Mountain Hall. The full Groundhog Day program can be seen in its entirety on the Lookout Mountain Georgia website. (Lookoutmtnga.com/community/page/groundhog-day-2023)
The Joe Wilson Park (corner of Red Riding Hood Trail and Lula Lake Road) is closing in on the completion of Phase 1. The beautification committee (Jimmy Campbell, Lulu Brock, Carol Brown, Rebekah Hughes, and Penny Simmons) has been leading this charge. The purchase of 3,000 jonquil bulbs funded by the Garden Club of Lookout Mountain were planted and are ready to bloom later this spring. Doug Chapin and his Rock City team provided their support in planting the bulbs. We are thankful for their partnership.
It will be a pivotal year as Robyn Carlton, executive director of the Lookout Mountain Conservancy, and her team begin reimagining the Sims interior park on McFarland Road. Several weeks ago, community forums were led by Matt Whitaker to obtain community feedback on the design.
What Does 2023 Have in Store?
We are watching the forecast closely as we anticipate rolling out “FTM (Food Truck Mondays) on the Hill” as weather permits.
Buffering will soon be in place behind the Oberon Trail parking lot.
Now that Phase 1 of the Mountain Center has been completed, we are hopeful that Phase 2 (Commercial/Retail) will begin soon. We expect to finalize a contract with a developer in the first quarter of 2023.
Work is also underway to develop a framework plan for future growth of trails and sidewalks to further connect our parks, gardens, and schools.
An exploratory committee will be formed to develop a long-term plan for recreational needs for all ages of residents of Lookout Mountain.
Later this year, the restoration of the Lookout Mountain Club’s golf course will be complete with hopes to climb the list of best courses in the U.S.
What makes Lookout a special and magical place to live? That is easy, our residents … especially you! May “2023” be a banner year for you, your family, and all the residents of our mountain.
by David S. Bennett
Mayor, Lookout Mountain, Ga.
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