Get Involved with NCNA this spring!

Our programming is dependent on neighborhood engagement and participation. Let us know what ideas are of interest / exciting to you!

Interested in Learning More about NCNA Initiatives: We have a lot of programs coming up in the next few months. Use this form to get emails with more details about the ones that you are interested in.

Here’s the list:

• Play Streets (a monthly Friday evening gathering when we close down a street for play)

• Emergency Preparedness Group (Establish a support network for neighbors)

• Saturday Sidewalk Workdays (to clear debris and overgrowth, and do some sidewalk repairs)

• Love Local Initiative (support local businesses via interviews and "NCNA Nights Out")

• Dallas Road safety audits and suggestions to the city

• Sylvan Park Bird Sanctuary Work Days to remove invasive plants (quarterly)

• New Neighbor Postcards (quarterly mailings to new neighbors)

• Traffic safety in school zones (especially for students walking to/from local schools)

• Help organize Neighborhood Wide Trash pick up and Potluck on April 25th

• Response to Development and Rezoning (might include attending RPC meetings)

• Wyatt Community Center Support (ex: community garden, arrange snacks for a movie night, etc)

And speaking of Wyatt Community Center…

Starting Friday, Feb 13th — Free Basketball Skill Clinic

Butch Leftwich and Marcel Hawthorne at the Wyatt Community Center on Colville St in North Chattanooga, will be leading a BEGINNER basketball skills development series (SKILLS DRILLS)  for kids aged 7-9 starting on February 13 and running weekly until March 6, 2026.

• Program to run for 4 weeks, on Friday nights from February 13-March 6, from 5:30-7pm. Sign-ups start at 5:15pm each night.

• This is targeted at coed beginners from ages 7-9. Maximum we can handle is 40 kids.

• This will be a drop off program, although we encourage parents to stay and watch the skill drills.

• There will be a sign up sheet for each night with your child's name, age, parent's name, phone number, and any medical information the coaches would need to be aware of.

Pickleball Lessons

The Wyatt Community Center director, Butch Leftwich, is leading Pickleball lessons and skill development drills for beginners M, W, and F each week from 1:30-3. Drop in - no reservation required. Participants to bring a paddle and some balls. Free to all!

Snacks for After School

The community center has become a spot that many kids head to play pick up basketball, soccer and more to as soon as they finish school in the afternoons. If you’re driving, be on the lookout for them as they walk from Normal Park along Forest Avenue on their way to Colville. Also, Butch and Marcel like to be able to provide snacks, so if you can drop gatorades or snacks by, they would be appreciated!

Updates on the Normal Park High School

School Board Representative Ben Connor of District 6 recently sat down with Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Justin Robertson to get some questions answered about the high school expansion.

View their conversation here. 

Ben will write a blog post to respond to any questions about the plans for the high school, so please email him here.

Key takeaways
- It is valuable for the community to talk to county commissioners, school board representatives and the county mayor about the high school expansion. 
- Money from the bond will likely be issued in 2028. Then the school board and county commission will vote on the proposal. 
- Normal Park will likely open ninth grade in August 2028 while the money is secured and the facilities are renovated. 
- Carlines and transportation issues are being looked at but will not be completely solved. The benefits of keeping the school in the neighborhood outweigh the troubles with the carlines, but they are attentive to the impact.
- Normal Park is a great school and will continue to support the vision of having a high school in the community.

NCNA Bookclub: Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering

An exciting new approach to how we gather that will transform the ways we spend our time together—at home, at work, in our communities, and beyond.

We will meet on March 3rd 6:30 p.m. at Real Roots Cafe to discuss The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker.

Parker’s work is focused on how we build community through our gatherings together. The Chattanooga Library has copies, or get it from one of our local bookstores!

Sign Up Here for emails and additional information.

PORCH Communities N. Chattanooga

PORCH Communities fight hunger by bringing neighbors together to help one another. Every month, we, your neighborhood captains, collect non-perishable food directly from your porches and front stoops and deliver it to the Northside Neighborhood House and the Redbank Food Pantry. This steady, dependable stream of donations truly makes a difference, helping our North Shore neighbors put meals on their tables. As more of you join the PORCH community, we’ll become even stronger and more consistent in supporting our North Chattanooga neighbors. Consistency truly matters. With grocery prices rising, many of our neighbors face daily challenges putting food on the table. PORCH offers an easy, reliable way to lend a hand.

Here are the steps:

• Email chattanooga@porchcommunities.org or judyrushin@gmail.com to let us know you’d like to get involved.

• You will be added to our pick-up list, and one of the captains will contact you to share the pick-up schedule and remind you a few days before your pick-up date.

• Leave non-perishable food items and toiletries in a bag or box on your porch or doorstep on the designated pick-up date.

The more people who get involved, the more robust and steady our deliveries become — and that’s the heart of our mission. In the few months I’ve been collecting donations, I’ve been deeply moved by the generosity of our neighbors and the joy it brings to the volunteers at Northside Neighborhood House and Redbank Food Pantry when I show up for a delivery.

If you feel inspired by this mission, please join us in making a difference. Your participation, no matter how small, helps build a stronger, kinder community where no one goes hungry. Together, we can create lasting change—one porch at a time.

Some suggested items include but are not limited to: canned tuna, chicken, stew, vegetables, fruit, applesauce, pasta and sauce*, beans and rice*, oatmeal.

*Pro tip: try to combine items that make a meal

Other needed items

• Toothpaste/toothbrushes

• soap

• lotion

• band-aids and first aid

• diapers and paper goods (open packages are ok)

Ready to help? Email us today and be part of this caring community making a real difference in our neighbors’ lives.

- Judy Rushin, neighborhood PORCH captain

NCNA Road Safety publicity and recognition

Our members' road safety efforts have been getting some well-deserved attention lately!

Chattanooga's own Jon Jon Wesolowski, “The Happy Urbanist” recently featured our Safe Sidewalk Saturday workdays in a video story. He highlights how these volunteer efforts tackle "medium-sized" problems—issues too small for the city to prioritize but often too big for one person to handle alone. The video is less than 3 minutes and does a great job explaining what we're doing. You can watch it here.

The city's Neighborhood Services also recognized the Hixson Pike Safety Committee at the late 2025 Neighborhood Association Roundtable. This committee brings together members from Baker Hilltop, Dallas Heights, Fairhills, North Chattanooga, and Riverview neighborhood associations, along with some Riverview Village business owners. Many folks have contributed community input on the upcoming Hixson Pike road updates, and a dedicated core group has stayed involved throughout the entire process. Councilwoman Hill nominated us for this honor.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone that has contributed to these efforts over the last year!

Join the 2nd Fall 2025 Safe Sidewalk Workday

Join us for the 2nd Fall NCNA Safe Sidewalk workday

📅 When

• This Saturday, November 22nd 9-11 AM

📍 Where

We will start near 1211 Westwood and will clean or clear spots along the West / NorthWest side of Hixson Pike from Westwood through to Barton Avenue and Russell. The crew will likely divide and conquer, driving between spots on this route until all is cleaned up so if you arrive late just drive the route and you should quickly find us.

🧰 What to Bring

• Must-haves: water, work gloves, sturdy shoes

• Nice-to-haves: hedge trimmers, loppers, rakes, flat tipped shovels, leaf blowers, small saws, weed eaters
  (We’ll have extra tools on site, so come even if you’re empty-handed.)

📝 What We’ll Do

From Westwood to Russell on Hixson Pike / Barton the sidewalk is partially blocked or covered by debris in multiple locations. Most of the trouble-spots will be pretty easy to clean so we’ll be moving from spot to spot pretty quickly throughout the workday. You can see recent photos of sidewalk obstructions along this route here.

Code Enforcement Inspections Note: if we are aware of any neighbors that need help with code violations we will try to spend time helping with those also. You can read more about the code enforcement inspections that should be happening across district 2 today and tomorrow (11.17 and 11.18) here. Please keep an eye and ear out for neighbors that receive violations and that need help that we may be able to offer.

Sidewalk along Hixson Pike

Sidewalk on Hixson Pike near Barton Avenue

Code Enforcement: Everything You Need to Know

This month, the city plans to conduct a comprehensive code-compliance inspection—and we want to help you avoid any fines. According to a notice released on Monday, November 3rd, the City’s Code Enforcement Department is launching a series of systematic, comprehensive inspections across several Council Districts as part of a major initiative to enhance neighborhood safety and livability throughout the community. This targeted operation will focus on enforcing minimum standards to protect residents' health, safety, and welfare.

Land Development Code Enforcement details

The Code

Did you know it is the homeowner's responsibility to maintain their property in accordance with city codes? This includes the strip of property along the sidewalk in front of your property. During the enforcement period, Chattanooga Public Works will be inspecting for the following:

• Litter: indoor furniture left outside, fallen trees, car parts, unused building material, etc. 

• Overgrowth: Weeds and grass over 10 inches are a violation. Property owners/tenants are responsible for keeping the lawns, including everything up to the street.

• Inoperable Vehicles: inoperable vehicles may not be kept, unless inside a garage or other structure. Code enforcement does not tow inoperable vehicles parked on the street.

• Structure Violations: peeling paint, broken windows, roof damage, and missing fascia are common exterior violations. 

Common Code Violations

The Enforcement

While code can be enforced at any time, these designated inspections in our area (District 2) will take place on November 17-18, giving us a few weeks to mitigate any issues. Homes in violation of the code will be given a Notice of Violation (NOV) tag, which will be left on their property. Residents will then have two weeks to correct the specific violation.

The Help

Here’s where NCNA would love to help!

First, we suggest you contact 311 or download the CHA 311 app, where you can report any issues to the city that they may be able to assist with. 

If you have a violation that you need help correcting, we may be able to help. Please reach out alerting us to your situation and we will do our best to rally volunteers to help you remediate any code violations. 

As always, we exist to unite efforts to pursue and maintain a thriving neighborhood community where all residents can safely live and work in harmony. Please reach out with any questions we may be able to help clarify!

NCNA Merch Sale!

Represent NCNA and Support Our Local Food Banks

To make space for future NCNA merchandise, we are selling all our branded gear at a 75% discount! We have grey Hovi Hats and t-shirts in the colors sage and asphalt, available in sizes Adult XS through Adult XXL. Use the code FIRESALE5 for $5 t-shirts (originally $20) and $7 hats (originally $28) while supplies last! Order now, and we will deliver it to your doorstep for free. 

As we enter November, we are also encouraging neighbors to support one another by donating to PORCH Chattanooga, the Chattanooga Food Bank, and the Community Fridge at the Chattanooga Free Store. 

Send us an email showing us your donations of $25 or more, and we will give you an NCNA hat or t-shirt while supplies last. These organizations support over 120,000 food-insecure Chattanoogans, and we are proud to partner with them. 

Send us an email with your donation receipt of $25 or more, and you can get some NCNA merch as our thank you for supporting our neighbors!

If we haven’t sold out yet, we’ll have gear available for purchase at our final NCNA meeting of 2025 on Thursday, November 6th. We’ll meet from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at the Frances B. Wyatt Community Center in the large gymnasium. We hope to see you there! 

Thank you for supporting our neighbors and our neighborhood association! 

Join the Fall 2025 Safe Sidewalk Workdays

Join us for the Fall NCNA Safe Sidewalk workdays

📅 When

• This Saturday, October 25th 9-11 AM

  • and Saturday, November 11th 9-11 AM

📍 Where

Look for the crew across the street from 1007 Mount Vernon Avenue. The sidewalk on the Southwest side of Mount Vernon Ave. from Albany St. downhill is blocked by overgrowth.

🧰 What to Bring

• Must-haves: water, work gloves, sturdy shoes

• Nice-to-haves: hedge trimmers, loppers, rakes, flat tipped shovels, leaf blowers, small saws, weed eaters
  (We’ll have extra tools on site, so come even if you’re empty-handed.)

📝 What We’ll Do

There is overgrowth blocking the sidewalk from Albany St. downhill on the Southwest side of Mount Vernon Ave. that will require trimming and clearing. We’ll cut the overgrowth and pile it in the roadway for city pickup. We may spend both Fall workdays at this location but will update this blog if the 2nd workday will be relocated.

Photo of the overgrown sidewalk taken from the Mount Vernon and Albany St. intersection. The overgrowth continues a little past the bend.

Mount Vernon sidewalk overgrowth looking uphill towards Albany Street.

Sylvan Park Day of Caring

On September 19th, NCNA joined United Way in a Day of Caring at our Sylvan Park Project. We had over 20 volunteers onsite furthering our neighborhood green space initiative.

Day of Caring at Sylvan Park Bird Sanctuary, Sept. 19th

The group filled up 9 large trash bags with garbage, pulled countless invasives like english ivy and privet plants, and collectively set the stage for the new trail connectivity work in the near future.

The NCNA Green Spaces committee wants to give a big thanks to all our neighbors who joined us, to the Young Professionals of Chattanooga (YPC), United Way, and Elder's Ace for your energy and investment in our community.

Thanks to the volunteers who removed invasive privet!

Trailbuilder, Barry Smith, and his team will be in Sylvan Park this fall adding a new entrance, as well as a trail that will connect the park up to Colville Street. We are excited because the path will provide a valuable connection to Forest Avenue for neighbors near Sylvan who don’t have any sidewalks, as well as a way for everyone to enjoy the bird sanctuary and beautiful reclaimed green spaces.

Also, using the funds that we raised through our campaign, we have ordered benches, a picnic table and waste receptacles that the Chattanooga Parks Department will install soon. After everything has been installed, we will add new signage to the park!

Stay tuned for our next work day at Sylvan Park and other ways to get involved in our neighborhood green spaces! 

Great to see our NCNA members and leaders at Sylvan Park, also!

And thanks again to all of the Sylvan Park Green Space Initiative Sponsors: the Wallace and Campbell families, the Wright family, the Wright Payne family, the Hunter family, the North Shore Merchants Collective, Sally and Andy Michaud, the Grassy Patch Crew, the Taylor family, and the Poole family.

Meet Your NCNA Officer Nominees (all running unopposed)

Alison Poole

Alison Poole – President

I’m Alison Poole, and I’ve lived on Normal Avenue since 2016 with my spouse Jonathan (who leads the NCNA Road Safety Committee), and our son and daughter who attend Normal Park School. We also share our home with Brownie, our golden doodle.

I’ve loved watching NCNA grow from a “What if?” conversation in fall 2023 into an impactful, civically engaged group of neighbors. It has been an honor to serve as president since our founding. This summer, I returned to the classroom as a 6th grade ELA teacher at CCA (right here in the neighborhood!), and with the support of this strong leadership team, I look forward to continuing in my role. Some of my favorite NCNA efforts so far include the redevelopment of the Sylvan Park Bird Sanctuary and our Play Streets events. I’m especially passionate about road safety, multimodal transportation, and engaging neighbors in conversations about zoning, affordable housing, and sustainable growth.

Kala Wright

Kala Wright – Vice President
Kala Wright, along with her husband Nathan and their son Landon, is proud to call North Chattanooga home. Their love for the neighborhood began in 2016 during a birthday trip, when they stayed in North Chatt and found themselves strolling to Publix and Frazier—often passing the home they now own.

Kala believes privilege carries a responsibility to help create smoother paths for others. She brings leadership experience from serving as Chairwoman of the Lake County Green Congregations in Illinois, coordinating nursing home and community responses during COVID-19, and serving as Executive Director of a local memory care community here in Chattanooga.

Currently, Kala is Treasurer of the Wilderness Response Network (WRN), which connects trained wilderness first responders to communities impacted by disasters—always with local consent. WRN has dispatched volunteers and vital supplies to affected areas, including our own region. She looks forward to bringing her values and skills to NCNA as Vice President.

Alex Epstein

Alex Epstein – Secretary

I’m Alex Epstein, and I’ve lived on Franklin Street since 2018 with my wife, Mary Catherine, and our dogs, Crash and Poppy. We love the restaurants, parks, and walkability of North Chattanooga. I currently serve as NCNA secretary, and I’m excited to help foster a welcoming, connected neighborhood for all residents.

Jennifer Carstens

Jennifer Carstens – Treasurer

Hello neighbors! I’m Jennifer Carstens. Since 2019, I’ve lived on Druid Lane with my husband (originally from South Africa), our three homeschooled boys, and our Siamese cat. We were drawn to North Chatt for its outdoor access and vibrant community—and we love that it still feels like a small-town neighborhood day to day.

As NCNA’s current treasurer, I’ve helped establish our 501(c)(3) and organize our finances. I look forward to continuing to strengthen our community while ensuring we preserve the charm and livability that make this neighborhood special.

Lindsey Wright

Lindsey Wright – Communications

I’m Lindsey Wright and I live on the north end of North Chatt on Rainbow Circle. My husband and I moved to Chattanooga from Dallas, TX in December of 2023 with our three kids and two dogs. After a couple visits and lots of research, we landed on North Chatt for its amazing public school, great restaurants, local shops, and walk/bike accessibility. Coming from the suburbs of Dallas, it was exactly the change of scenery and pace we were looking for. 

I’m a freelance writer, specializing in nonprofits and mental health. I love how a good story can make all the difference in how we see and understand ourselves, others, and our world. I hope to bring that kind of compelling storytelling to NCNA, so together we can create a community we’re all excited to be a part of. 

Leadership Team & Gratitude

Alongside our elected officers, NCNA is supported by an incredible group of leaders:

• Ben Connor (Parliamentarian)

• Jonathan Poole (Road Safety)

• Stewart Williams (Road Safety)

• Amy Packer (School & Community)

• Diane O’Sullivan (Responsible Growth)

• Max Downen (Green Spaces)

We also want to thank those who have recently transitioned out of leadership: Cassie Nice and Alex Close. Your hard work and vision helped build the foundation for what NCNA is today.

The Ultimate Front Porch Hang

Why Free Movie Night Isn’t Just for Kids 

Chattanooga Parks & Outdoors is hosting a FREE Movie Night in our neighborhood this Friday! But don’t let the selected feature (Inside Out 2) deter you from joining if you’re not into animated films. Because while Movie in a Park offers free entertainment for the kids, it offers something even bigger for all of us: community. 

In May 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General called loneliness a public health epidemic. For many of us, that proclamation comes as no surprise. On the heels of the pandemic's isolation and amidst the incessant hustle of our culture, loneliness is a logical outcome. The obvious antidote is connectivity. But that can often feel daunting. Especially because connection isn’t something we can add to our to-do list. It isn’t something we can accomplish. And it isn’t something we can do on our own. By its nature, it requires all of us to show up and choose one another. And that takes a level of vulnerability and intentionality.

One of the things that makes our neighborhood so special is the community. We have front porches for hanging out, sidewalks for strolling, and a recreation center for gathering. But those anchors of our neighborhood are only as meaningful as we make them. We still have to choose to sit on the porch, take the walk, and utilize the gathering spaces. But when we do, something magical happens – not all at once, but consistently over time, we become more connected to one another, less alone, and consequently, less lonely. 

This Friday, as the sun sets and the weather cools, make your way to Wyatt Park, even if not for yourself, perhaps for your neighbor who may be feeling the ache of disconnection. Bring a drink, a blanket, and an openness to meeting someone new. The time and space we carve out of our days for simply being together is how we foster a sense of community. It’s how we combat loneliness. And ultimately, the connectivity it brings is what gives our lives meaning. 

ALL THE DETAILS

When: Friday, July 18th at dusk

Where: Wyatt Park, 406 Colville Street

What: Inside Out 2

Bring: Chairs, blankets, snacks, family, and friends! 

MAKING IT EXTRA SPECIAL

Kids – Bring your goodies to sell! We’re talking friendship bracelets, lemonade, cookies, face paint – whatever you’ve got to share! We’ll have a special market-like space set up for you!  

Adults – Bring your garden bounty to share! Snip some sprigs of basil, pick some ripe tomatoes, and gather the peaches off the tree in your backyard. Whatever you have in your garden, let’s do what our community does best – come together and share whatever we have to offer. 

NCNA hats and t-shirts will also be available for purchase as we continue to raise funds for the revitalization of another community space – Sylvan Park!

Join the 4th and Final Summer 2025 Safe Sidewalk Workday

Join us for the 4th and final NCNA Safe Sidewalk Summer workday

📅 When

• This Saturday, July 19th 8-10 AM

  • workdays will resume after the Summer heat subsides

📍 Where

Look for the crew near 1213 Worthington Street. Most of the clearing work is needed on Worthington Street near Garnett, at the top of the hill, but there are spots near Hixson Pike that need pruning as well.

🧰 What to Bring

• Must-haves: water, work gloves, sturdy shoes

• Nice-to-haves: hedge trimmers, loppers, rakes, flat tipped shovels, leaf blowers, wheel barrows, weed eaters
  (We’ll have extra tools on site, so come even if you’re empty-handed.)

📝 What We’ll Do

There is overgrowth blocking the sidewalk in a few sections on Worthington that will require trimming and clearing. If work on Worthington finishes early there are additional cleanup opportunities nearby.

Photos and highlights from our last work event on Lytle

We had a productive group on hand for our July 5th workday on Lytle and were able to clear 400 feet of sidewalk, with varied levels of overgrowth, from Tremont to 515 Lytle.

Sustainable Spaces: Local Support for Eco-Friendly Living in Chattanooga

🌿 Chattanooga RainSmart Rewards

A city-led initiative offering reimbursements for residential green infrastructure:

• Rain Gardens: Up to $2,000 per property for establishing native plant beds that capture runoff.

• Rain Barrels: $50 per barrel reimbursement (max 10 per property).

• SupportScapes: Up to $1,000 per property to remove turf/invasive species and replace with native plantings.

🌦️ RainSmart Yards (City of Chattanooga / WaterWays)

• Homeowners can get their yards certified by installing green infrastructure like rain gardens, rain barrels, native plantings, and SupportScapes.

• Certification delivers up to 75% off the annual stormwater fee

• This is a local complement to Smart Yards, targeting stormwater reduction and ecological yard design.

🌳 Free Tree ReLeaf (EPB)

EPB’s program provides free trees to homeowners to enhance shade, energy savings, wildlife habitats, and stormwater absorption .

🏡 EPB Home Energy & Solar Initiatives

• Free Home Energy Checkups: EPB experts inspect and advise on energy efficiency improvements (insulation, sealing, etc.)

• EPB Solar Share: Energy retrofit programs and a community solar‑panel leasing option to reduce home carbon footprint

• EPB Home Uplift (Income-qualified): Up to $10,000 in free home improvements (HVAC, insulation, efficient appliances) for income-qualified households. Average annual savings: $400/home

🌱 Tennessee Smart Yard

Steps to Certification:

• Download Materials: Get the Smart Yard workbook and yardstick tool to guide and track your progress.

• Learn from Experts: Watch 9 online video lessons covering sustainable yard care practices.

• Take Action: Complete at least 36 inches worth of environmentally friendly practices from a provided list.

• Submit for Certification: Fill out the online form, upload your yardstick, and receive your certificate.

• Share & Expand: Order a yard sign, share your success, and help spread the word in your neighborhood.

Local Sustainability: NewTerra, Overlooked Materials & CHI Market

Looking for easy ways to live more sustainably in Chattanooga? Three local initiatives—NewTerra Compost, Overlooked Materials and CHI Market—make it simple to reduce waste, support the local economy, and care for the environment right from your home.

🥕 NewTerra Compost

• Offers curbside compost pickup for homes, schools, and businesses.

• Helps divert food waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions.

• Turns food scraps into nutrient-rich compost that can be used in gardens and landscaping.

🧪 Overlooked Materials

• A community glass recycling initiative addressing the lack of municipal glass recycling.

• Collects glass from residents and local businesses for responsible recycling.

• Partners with artists and regional processors to reuse or repurpose glass.

• Helps reduce landfill waste and promotes a circular economy for materials often “overlooked.”

🛒 CHI Market

Open at St. Marks Church on Mississippi Avenue, down at The Venue; Thursday: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM; Friday - Saturday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

• A neighborhood market offering locally grown and produced goods.

• Supports regional farmers, makers, and small food businesses.

• Reduces the environmental impact of long-distance food transport.

• Encourages seasonal eating and helps keep food dollars in the local economy.

These local efforts show how everyday choices—like composting, recycling glass, or shopping locally—can build a healthier, more resilient community.

Creating New Footpaths: Trail on Druid Lane

The red line shows a newly cleared footpath

While our Road Safety Sidewalk Safety crews have been clearing sidewalks, other neighbors have been clearing overgrown alleys to make way for footpaths. This past weekend, a neighbor cleared a trail has been cleared to connect Druid to the alleyway over to Tucker. The more use that these paths get by walkers and runners, the easier it will be to maintain. It is a wonderful nature loop for neighbors to use, and we appreciate everyone’s help continuing to improve our neighborhood. Be on the lookout for ways that you can make the areas near you more enjoyable and usable for our whole community!

Join the 3rd Safe Sidewalk Workday this Saturday, July 5th

Join us for the 3rd NCNA Safe Sidewalk Summer Crew workday

📅 When

• This Saturday, July 5th 8-10 AM

  • a future workday is scheduled for July 19th

📍 Where

515 Lytle Street, about mid-way between Colville and Tremont.

🧰 What to Bring

• Must-haves: water, work gloves, sturdy shoes

• Nice-to-haves: hedge trimmers, loppers, rakes, flat tipped shovels, leaf blowers, wheel barrows, weed eaters
  (We’ll have extra tools on site, so come even if you’re empty-handed.)

📝 What We’ll Do

For the upcoming holiday weekend we’ll be keeping the work ‘light on Lytle’ :) There are a few lost sections of sidewalk and some pruning that is needed but the work should go quickly. If we finish early some of us may do additional pruning to clear a spots on streets nearby or may return to remove more dirt from the Boylston sidewalk that we cleared two weeks ago.

Photos of sidewalk sections that we’ll clear this weekend on Lytle

Photos and highlights from our last work event on Boylston

Our last work day cleared more than 25 years of dirt, growth and debris from sidewalk along multiple lots near 811 Boylston. This project was hard work but rewarding and the newly cleared sidewalk looks great. Big thanks to all that showed up two weeks ago and for doing multiple workdays worth of work in a single event!

Be sure to walk Boylston sometime to see the difference this reclaimed sidewalk makes to the area. You can also see the transition in the photos below.

A timelapse and photos from our 1st workday which cleared sidewalk on Dugdale can be found here.

July 14th NCNA Book Club

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi — hope you can join us for this July book discussion about community and being a neighbor.

July Book Club Sign Up

Please join us to read and discuss Theo of Golden by Allen Levi,

the “endearing story of a curious old man who quietly moves into a southern city and, for reasons unknown to anyone but himself, undertakes a campaign of anonymous generosity. Theo’s love for people, combined with his fondness for books, art, birds, and story, unite in a colorful expression of outreach and affection… Beautifully written stories of kindness and neighborliness are always timely, but perhaps especially so now” 

Sign up here to express interest and receive more information. We will meet to discuss the novel on July 14th, 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Real Roots Cafe (607 N Market St). We encourage you to arrive a few minutes early to order dinner and drinks (and support a local business), and then we’ll gather for our discussion after Real Roots closes to other customers.

Join the 2nd Safe Sidewalk Workday this Saturday, June 21st

Join us for the 2nd NCNA Safe Sidewalk Summer Crew workday

📅 When

• This Saturday, June 21st 8-10 AM

  • future workdays are schedule for July 5 & July 19

📍 Where

801 to 811 Boylston Street, just downhill from the Boylston / Albany intersection.

🧰 What to Bring

• Must-haves: water, work gloves, sturdy shoes

• Nice-to-haves: hedge trimmers, loppers, rakes, flat tipped shovels, leaf blowers, garbage bags, wheel barrows, weed eaters
  (We’ll have extra tools on site, so come even if you’re empty-handed.)

📝 What We’ll Do

We’ll be trimming vegetation and clearing debris to reopen the blocked sidewalk along the front of 5 lots. We’ll work at our own pace and please join us even if you can only attend part of the work day.

Timelapse and Before and Afters from our first workday at 1211 Dugdale

Our first workday successfully freed the sidewalk at 1211 Dugdale from years of overgrowth and debris buildup. Check out our time lapse and before/after images from that work.

Join the Safe Sidewalk Summer Crew | 1st & 3rd Saturday Workdays

Join the NCNA Safe Sidewalk Summer Crew

Our recent neighborhood-wide walk audit identified a long list of spots where overgrowth, litter, or damaged pavement make walking tough. Let’s tackle them together!

📅 When

• 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 8 – 10 a.m.

  • June 7 & June 21

  • July 5 & July 19

• We’ll add August dates based on interest and our progress.

📍 Where

The meeting spot changes each session. Watch your email—the Road Safety list gets the exact location the Monday before every workday. If you want to be added to that list let us know here: contact form.

🧰 What to Bring

• Must-haves: water, work gloves, sturdy shoes

• Nice-to-haves: hedge trimmers, loppers, rakes, flat tipped shovels, leaf blowers, garbage bags
  (We’ll have extra tools on site, so come even if you’re empty-handed.)

📝 What We’ll Do

Most tasks involve trimming vegetation and clearing debris to reopen blocked sidewalks. Work at your own pace—whether you stay 30 minutes, the full two hours or longer your efforts will be valuable.

Kickoff Project (June 7): Brush-clearing at 1211 Dugdale Ave.
Check out the “before” photos below; let’s create the “after” shots together!

See you on the sidewalk! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Meeting to Discuss Proposed 1010 Dallas Road Project

On Monday evening, May 19th at 6 p.m. NCNA members are invited to meet at the small building at Wyatt Community Center, 406 Colville St, to learn more about a proposed development at 1010 Dallas Road (the area pictured here — just past Hair A Go Go).

Proposed Development

The vision for this six-acre site is to bring mixed-income, multi-family housing in response to expressed community needs for greater housing affordability, particularly in the North Chattanooga community. The first phase of this potential project could include up to 169 rental apartment units. The project is being co-developed by Chestnut Development and led by Steen and Courtney Watson (who are D2 residents). The six-acre site encompasses five parcels of land, one of which is in process to seek rezoning from I-L (industrial) to C-C (residential). Come meet the project leads and learn more.