For over a century, Lookout Mountain School (LMS) has served not only as a place of learning, but also as a gathering place for generations of Lookout Mountain families. From skate nights to open library days to neighborhood events, the school has a rich history of bringing people together in fellowship and community.
Now, the LMS PTA, in partnership with LMS and the Town of Lookout Mountain, is continuing that long-held tradition by revitalizing the school’s field and surrounding outdoor spaces. Phase One of the project, which includes installation of a new turf field, is scheduled to begin this spring. Construction will be led by Baseline Sports of Knoxville - the firm that installed the turf fields at both McCallie and Baylor - with an estimated completion date of summer 2026.
As families come together to practice, compete, and cheer on local teams playing on the new field, LMS will once again serve as a community gathering space, building on roots that stretch surprisingly far back.
A Vision Rediscovered
Earlier this year, LMS PTA leaders found a detailed landscape plan created for the school in 2000, shortly after the construction of the kindergarten wing. With a nature trail, mountain stone hardscape, and a revitalized athletic field, the rendering provided a glimpse into how earlier generations imagined LMS’s outdoor spaces might evolve.
“We had no idea this existed,” said Jenny Tucker, LMS PTA president. “For more than 25 years, people on this mountain have been dreaming about how to thoughtfully use this space … and now we have the opportunity to help finish what was started.”
Born out of a collaboration between community members, the original plan was commissioned by former Lookout Mountain resident and LMS parent Susan Probasco, who at the time served on the PTA board overseeing house and grounds. Landscape architect Scott Colomb of Morehead, Ga., led the design through a connection made by local landscape designer Jimmy Stewart. Long-time gardening expert Martha Law and her son Grant Law also played important roles, with Grant gifting the rendering and Martha helping bring portions of the vision to fruition.
“The development of the original plan really was a team effort,” said Probasco. “Martha Law and Jimmy Stewart were my north stars. We had a blast working together.”
Though Colomb’s rendering was never fully realized, it is now serving as inspiration for the current revitalization plans, including the hardscape and additional community spaces surrounding the field.
“It’s so heartening to see this project move forward,” continued Probasco. “We were only able to complete a portion of what was envisioned, and I’m just so excited that LMS is now able to expand on what we started.”
Where School and Community Meet
Since opening its doors over 100 years ago, LMS has regularly offered the school’s spaces for public use. The teacher workroom once served as the town’s public library. The gym functioned as a community skating rink, open to residents outside of school hours. Even the rink itself was dedicated to Lookout Mountain community members who served in World War II - a reminder that the school has long reflected the lives and values of the community it serves.
“This school has always belonged to the community in a very real way,” Tucker noted. “Revitalizing the field and grounds is really about honoring that legacy and making sure future generations get to experience LMS in the same way.”
For Probasco, that sense of belonging is what has always defined the school. “LMS has always been such a special place for children to learn and grow,” she said. “It’s just full of love, which really allows kids to preserve their sense of self and community.”
Jimmy Stewart, now retired, echoed that sentiment. Over the years, Stewart lent his expertise to many of Lookout Mountain’s public spaces, including the gazebo on West Brow Road at Jane’s Garden and landscaping projects around LMS.
“The field project is a great use of the school’s space,” Stewart said. “It continues the tradition of designing places that bring people together.”
Building What Comes Next
While the first phase of the revitalization project is limited to sitework and installation of the turf field, future phases will add hardscape and planting designed to foster gathering and connection, including stone bleachers that blend naturally into the mountain setting.
The LMS PTA will be raising money for construction of the stone bleachers during the paddle raise portion of Night Out for Lookout, the school’s annual adults-only fundraiser coming up on March 6. This year’s theme, “Saddle Up for Lookout,” reflects the spirit of community participation that has helped make LMS the special place that it is today. PTA leaders are encouraging residents from across the mountain to attend.
“We want the community to know that this fun event is open to everyone,” said Tucker. “Together, we can turn a vision that began decades ago into a reality for our students and for future generations of Lookout Mountain families to enjoy.”
by Kirsten Yates
Now, the LMS PTA, in partnership with LMS and the Town of Lookout Mountain, is continuing that long-held tradition by revitalizing the school’s field and surrounding outdoor spaces. Phase One of the project, which includes installation of a new turf field, is scheduled to begin this spring. Construction will be led by Baseline Sports of Knoxville - the firm that installed the turf fields at both McCallie and Baylor - with an estimated completion date of summer 2026.
As families come together to practice, compete, and cheer on local teams playing on the new field, LMS will once again serve as a community gathering space, building on roots that stretch surprisingly far back.
A Vision Rediscovered
Earlier this year, LMS PTA leaders found a detailed landscape plan created for the school in 2000, shortly after the construction of the kindergarten wing. With a nature trail, mountain stone hardscape, and a revitalized athletic field, the rendering provided a glimpse into how earlier generations imagined LMS’s outdoor spaces might evolve.
“We had no idea this existed,” said Jenny Tucker, LMS PTA president. “For more than 25 years, people on this mountain have been dreaming about how to thoughtfully use this space … and now we have the opportunity to help finish what was started.”
Born out of a collaboration between community members, the original plan was commissioned by former Lookout Mountain resident and LMS parent Susan Probasco, who at the time served on the PTA board overseeing house and grounds. Landscape architect Scott Colomb of Morehead, Ga., led the design through a connection made by local landscape designer Jimmy Stewart. Long-time gardening expert Martha Law and her son Grant Law also played important roles, with Grant gifting the rendering and Martha helping bring portions of the vision to fruition.
“The development of the original plan really was a team effort,” said Probasco. “Martha Law and Jimmy Stewart were my north stars. We had a blast working together.”
Though Colomb’s rendering was never fully realized, it is now serving as inspiration for the current revitalization plans, including the hardscape and additional community spaces surrounding the field.
“It’s so heartening to see this project move forward,” continued Probasco. “We were only able to complete a portion of what was envisioned, and I’m just so excited that LMS is now able to expand on what we started.”
Where School and Community Meet
Since opening its doors over 100 years ago, LMS has regularly offered the school’s spaces for public use. The teacher workroom once served as the town’s public library. The gym functioned as a community skating rink, open to residents outside of school hours. Even the rink itself was dedicated to Lookout Mountain community members who served in World War II - a reminder that the school has long reflected the lives and values of the community it serves.
“This school has always belonged to the community in a very real way,” Tucker noted. “Revitalizing the field and grounds is really about honoring that legacy and making sure future generations get to experience LMS in the same way.”
For Probasco, that sense of belonging is what has always defined the school. “LMS has always been such a special place for children to learn and grow,” she said. “It’s just full of love, which really allows kids to preserve their sense of self and community.”
Jimmy Stewart, now retired, echoed that sentiment. Over the years, Stewart lent his expertise to many of Lookout Mountain’s public spaces, including the gazebo on West Brow Road at Jane’s Garden and landscaping projects around LMS.
“The field project is a great use of the school’s space,” Stewart said. “It continues the tradition of designing places that bring people together.”
Building What Comes Next
While the first phase of the revitalization project is limited to sitework and installation of the turf field, future phases will add hardscape and planting designed to foster gathering and connection, including stone bleachers that blend naturally into the mountain setting.
The LMS PTA will be raising money for construction of the stone bleachers during the paddle raise portion of Night Out for Lookout, the school’s annual adults-only fundraiser coming up on March 6. This year’s theme, “Saddle Up for Lookout,” reflects the spirit of community participation that has helped make LMS the special place that it is today. PTA leaders are encouraging residents from across the mountain to attend.
“We want the community to know that this fun event is open to everyone,” said Tucker. “Together, we can turn a vision that began decades ago into a reality for our students and for future generations of Lookout Mountain families to enjoy.”
by Kirsten Yates
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