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!

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.

Play Streets Are Coming!

Many adults can remember a time when children spent more time outdoors, and neighborhood streets were filled with the sounds of kids playing. While we still see many children in our neighborhood today, kids are more likely to play in their own homes, yards, or on screens.

In order to encourage more outdoor play and community connection, the North Chattanooga Neighborhood Association (NCNA) is excited to announce our Play Streets initiative. Play Streets are scheduled times when selected streets are closed to through traffic, creating safe spaces for children to play and neighbors to connect. This concept, already successful in other cities, represents a return to a time when streets weren’t just for cars – they were extensions of our front yards and gathering places for our communities.

The first NCNA Play Streets event will take place on Boylston Street, on Friday, April 11th from 5:00 PM–6:30PM. Please note, Boylston Street from Tremont to Beck will be closed to cars from 4:30 PM until 7:00PM the day of the event.

Play Streets will take place in the streets and in public spaces like sidewalks and greenways. Attendees should not be in a private yard unless invited.

RSVP Here

- The event is intentionally "low-program" and meant for parents to "life guard" rather than to be overly involved in the playing.
- We will provide bubbles and chalk, and we ask you to bring Amazon boxes for fort building and other creative play!
- We will also have an section for young children to play together with a bit of protection from older kids.
- All attendees should clean up after themselves as they leave.
- A parent or caregiver is required to be in attendance. Please bring a camp chair and enjoy the fun!
- Pets are not allowed at Play Streets.

We would love to see you at the event, and all are welcome even if you aren't a part of NCNA! Remember, Play Streets aren’t just about creating spaces for play – they’re about strengthening our community bonds, improving all of our well-being, and making North Chattanooga an even better place to live.

The future Play Streets are already planned. Hope you can join us!

May 9th on Hanover Street

June 13th on Colville Street

July 11th on Endicott Street

August 8th on Normal Avenue

September 12th on Dartmouth Street

October 10th on Boylston Street (again!)

If you would be interested in helping us with some of these future events, fill out this form!

Join Us for NCNA Clean Up Day – Hyper Local Impact!

Feeling like you want to make a difference but don’t know where to start? Look hyper local. Join us for NCNA Clean Up Day on April 5, 2025, starting at Frances B. Wyatt Community Center. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with neighbors, beautify our streets, and celebrate our hard work with a neighborhood potluck!

Why Join NCNA Clean Up Day?

We love our community, and this event is a chance to show it! A cleaner neighborhood benefits everyone—it boosts our quality of life, brings people together, and fosters local pride.

Event Details

Date: April 5, 2025
Time: 10 AM-1:30 PM
Location: Frances B. Wyatt Community Center @ 406 Colville Street

Schedule:

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Neighborhood Clean-Up
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Potluck Lunch

We’ll provide the trash bags, gloves, and even flower seeds to add some extra beauty to our streets. All you need to bring is comfortable clothes, a water bottle, and some friends and family to make it even more fun.

Stay for the Potluck!

After a productive morning, let’s celebrate with a potluck lunch at the small building near the playground. Sign up for a dish here.

Spread the word! We’ll see you on April 5th.

An Exciting Weekend of Activities for the NCNA

We have a lot going on with NCNA this weekend -- hope you can join us. Friday night we'll have glow in the dark dodgeball (games will be divided by age, so all are welcome), and the North Chatt Chow Down.

Melissa Graveline from Build Sage Design will be providing drinks for dodgeball and the Chow Down, and she will also be available to to chat about your homes and potential future projects.

For the Chow Down, we already have people signed up to bring food from everywhere from Louisiana to Texas to Korea and more! Be sure to sign up here with what you are bringing!

Then on Saturday morning, bundle up and meet at the Wyatt Community Center at 9 a.m. to help us review all pedestrian infrastructure within the NCNA boundaries.

We'll start with coffee, donuts and an overview of the walk audit process then we will split up to walk and review our neighborhood streets. By the end, we’ll have a sense of which sidewalks need cleaning, repair, and more, and the general condition of pedestrian infrastructure across our neighborhood. If you want to get a head start the walk audit form is live: https://forms.gle/bzaFxLnULnVx8YPX8

In Praise of Frances B. Wyatt Community Center

"Can we go to the Wyatt Center??" 

It's a request I now expect from my 3rd and 4th-grade boys at school pickup each day. And the answer is always an easy "YES!"

Earlier this year, the Frances B. Wyatt Community Center on Colville Street started offering youth open gym every weekday from 3:00-5:00 PM. Whoever came up with this timeframe is brilliant. (If that was you, from the bottom of my heart -- THANK YOU!) It's the perfect post-school activity for kiddos who need to burn some energy in a safe, temperature-controlled, contained space. It's especially enticing for my boys, who are always looking for an opportunity to play basketball in a real gym (as opposed to the small basketball hoop in our cracked driveway). And in the winter, we can all only bear to be outside for so long! Enter the community center. 

Photo from an NCNA meeting in 2024 in the Community Center

A few years ago, my husband and I spent a little time in Europe and became enamored with the concept of "third spaces" for people to gather. A "third space" refers to a social environment that is separate from the home (the first space) and the workplace/school (the second space). Think of cozy cafes, lively parks, community centers, libraries, or local clubs—these are all great examples! "Third spaces" are about creating a relaxed atmosphere that encourages socializing and building relationships. They help foster a sense of belonging and community, making it easier for people to meet up, enjoy each other's company, and hang out without the pressures of daily life. In an increasingly individualized world, "third spaces" offer a counterbalance towards togetherness. 

My family moved to Chattanooga and landed in North Chatt just over a year ago. The neighborhood we left in North Dallas was a master-planned community with an extensive greenbelt that included a playground, a walking trail, a volleyball court, multiple pavilions, and several large fields perfect for a game of pickup football or soccer. Upon our move, our kids lamented the loss of a common space where they could always count on finding friends to run around and play with. 

Since our move to Chattanooga, we've been searching for places where our kids can gather safely with other kids without needing a scheduled playdate and without spending money every time, as we do with places like trampoline parks. 

NCNA Movie Night at Wyatt Community Center in summer 2024.

When we heard about youth open gym at the Wyatt Center, our whole family rejoiced! And I don't mean that as hyperbole. I want my kids to grow up with access to community spaces where they can gather with friends and play, even without parental supervision, where they're given the opportunity to work things out with one another.

What a gift to live in a city with community centers scattered throughout. Here are a few things I've learned since my kids started playing at the Wyatt Center: 

1. Open Gym is Monday-Friday from 3:00 - 5:00 PM

2. The Wyatt Center is open Monday - Friday from 11:30 AM - 8:00 PM and Saturday from 12:00 - 4:00 PM, primarily used to play pickleball and table tennis. It's also available to rent. Find more info at https://chattanooga.gov/services/community-centers/francis-b-wyatt-community-center 

3. We owe a big thanks to the community center manager, Butch, who pushed to create open gym for our kids! 

4. The Wyatt Center is also used for neighborhood meetings and community social events, all of which have been possible because of the support and help of Butch!

5. Sign in! The city's community centers are funded based on usage. Signing in at the front desk indicates that our community is using the Wyatt Center. This allows our neighborhood's community center to receive more funding. 

Our hope for the future is that more neighbors begin to utilize the Wyatt Center as a community space to foster belonging among all kids and adults alike! 

• Lindsey Wright

Butch at the NCNA Glow in the Dark Dodgeball Event.

P.S. The city is currently asking for feedback on community centers, and it is a great way to support the programming that we love at Wyatt, so be sure to respond to the survey here.

Bringing Play Streets to North Chattanooga

Many adults can remember a time when children spent more time outdoors, and neighborhood streets were filled with the sounds of kids playing. While we still see many children in our neighborhood today, kids are more likely to be in their own home, yard, or screen. 

In order to encourage more outdoor play and community connection, The North Chattanooga Neighborhood Association is excited to announce our upcoming Play Streets initiative, a movement that temporarily transforms residential streets into safe, car-free spaces for play and community gathering.

The idea came from a book club that NCNA hosted earlier this fall to discuss The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. The book explores the detrimental effect of screens and social media on young people, and it delves into the huge benefits of outdoor play. More than 20 neighbors came to the book club, and nearly everyone agreed that their primary concern with their own children playing in our neighborhood is the danger of traffic. 

What are Play Streets?

Play Streets are scheduled times when selected streets are closed to through traffic, creating safe spaces for children to play and neighbors to connect. This concept, already successful in cities like Seattle, Portland, and New York, represents a return to a time when streets weren't just for cars – they were extensions of our front yards and gathering places for our communities.

Why Now?

In recent years, childhood has undergone a dramatic shift. Research shows that today's children spend significantly less time in unstructured outdoor play compared to previous generations. This decrease in outdoor activity and face-to-face social interaction has been linked to increased rates of anxiety and decreased social development among young people.

Contemporary research, including recent studies on child development, highlights several concerning trends:

• Children spend 50% less time in unstructured outdoor activities than they did in the 1970s 

• Average radius of play (how far children roam independently) has shrunk by 90% since the 1970s

• Screen time has replaced much of children's free play time

Benefits of Play Streets

Play Streets offer multiple benefits for our community. In addition to mental and physical well-being for children, Play Streets also build community by fostering a greater sense of community safety and intergenerational interaction. 

North Chattanooga’s Play Street event

The first step in planning our event is to seek a permit from the City of Chattanooga to close a selected street to traffic on a specific date. We have identified Boylston Street, between Colville Street and Beck Ave, as a potential location for the initial event. Because this stretch of road does not include any residences, it should pose minimal disruption to traffic flow (and it can serve as a wonderful test case for creating a public park in that vicinity!). The date of the event has not yet been determined. 

We need your help! 

We are currently seeking volunteers to help plan this event. Please let us know here if you are interested in helping out and/or staying in the loop on this event!

Remember, Play Streets aren't just about creating spaces for play – they're about strengthening our community bonds, improving our children's well-being, and making North Chattanooga an even better place to live.

Welcome to the Block: New Neighbor Program

Moving to a new neighborhood can be both exciting and overwhelming. As a new resident settles in, the first few weeks can feel like a blur of unpacking, navigating new routines, and adjusting to a different community. But a warm, friendly welcome can make all the difference in helping new neighbors feel at home. That’s where our Welcome to the Block: New Neighbor Program comes in!

Our neighborhood association is proud to launch this initiative aimed at making our newest residents feel welcome and connected from day one. One of the easiest and most heartfelt ways you can participate is by joining our postcard-writing effort to greet newcomers. Here's how you can get involved!

What is the "Welcome to the Block" New Neighbor Program?

The Welcome to the Block initiative is a neighborhood outreach program designed to help newcomers feel embraced and informed as they transition into our community. Each new resident receives a personalized postcard with a warm greeting, helpful local information, and an invitation to engage with the association and neighbors.

It's a small gesture that can have a big impact. A handwritten note can make new residents feel seen, valued, and excited about the community they’ve joined.

Why Write a Postcard?

A personal, handwritten postcard is an easy, affordable, and meaningful way to show new neighbors that we care. Here's why it matters:

• Makes a Personal Connection: A quick, thoughtful note can break the ice and open the door for future interactions.

• Informs and Guides: A postcard can include helpful information like local events, nearby parks, or contact info for the neighborhood association. It's a simple way to help newcomers get oriented.

• Builds Community Spirit: Welcoming new residents fosters a sense of unity and warmth in the neighborhood, making everyone feel part of something special.

How Can You Get Involved?

It’s simple and fun! Here’s how you can help us welcome new neighbors with a postcard:

1. Sign Up
   Join our postcard-writing team by filling out the registration form here. You’ll be added to our volunteer list and receive updates on when new residents are moving in.

2. Pick Up a Postcard Kit
   Once you’ve signed up, we’ll provide you with a postcard kit. These kits include everything you need—pre-addressed postcards, a list of new neighbors, and a few ideas for what to write (though feel free to add your own personal touch!).

3. Write Your Postcard
   Take a moment to write a short, friendly message welcoming your new neighbors. It doesn’t have to be long—just a few kind words will make a world of difference! You can also include a personal recommendation for a local coffee shop, restaurant, or park.

4. Drop Off Your Postcard
   Once you’ve written your postcard, drop it off at the post office, and wait for the next batch of newcomers.

What Should You Write on the Postcard?

The most important thing is to make the message warm and welcoming! Here are some ideas for what to include:

• A Warm Greeting: Start with a friendly “Welcome to the neighborhood!” or “We’re so happy you’ve joined our community!”

• Personal Suggestions: Mention your favorite local spots or any neighborhood traditions or events.

• Encouragement to Get Involved: Invite your new neighbor to attend an upcoming neighborhood event or meet others through the neighborhood association.

• A Helpful Tip: Offer advice on practical matters, like the best route to take to the grocery store or where to park.

Here’s an example:

Dear [Name],

Welcome to the neighborhood! We’re so glad to have you here. If you’re ever looking for a great cup of coffee, check out [local café] just down the street—it’s a neighborhood favorite! Our next community gathering is coming up in [date]; we’d love to see you there!

If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re happy to help you settle in.

Warmly,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
NCNA Member

The Impact of Your Effort

It may seem like a small act, but when dozens of neighbors come together to write postcards, it creates a ripple effect of positivity and inclusivity throughout the community. New residents will feel the warmth of their new home long before they’ve unpacked their last box, and they’ll be more likely to engage with the neighborhood as a result.

By taking just a few minutes to write a postcard, you’re helping build a more welcoming, connected, and vibrant neighborhood for everyone.

Get Involved Today!

Ready to get started? Sign up to be part of the Welcome to the Block: New Neighbor Program and help make our community an even better place to live. Whether you’re a longtime resident or a recent arrival, you can make a difference by sharing a kind word with a new neighbor.

Together, let’s show everyone that we’re more than just a neighborhood—we’re a community.

Sign up today and start writing!

NCNA Book Club - The Anxious Generation

On September 23rd, join neighbors to discuss Jonathan Haidt’s new book The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. We will meet from 7 - 8:30 at Real Roots Cafe, 607 N Market St. There will be beer, wine and the full menu available for purchase. RSVP at this link.

The discussion will be led by Suzanne Collins and Mary Helen Montgomery and will focus on Haidt’s conclusions about the need to return to play-based childhoods. Independence and play-based childhood experiences require community support, which is why this book makes sense for our NCNA community to read and discuss together.

We look forward to discussing the book and Haidt’s “New Norms”: no smartphones before high school, no social media before 16, phone-free schools, more independence, free play, and responsibility in the real world. We hope that you will read the book and join us to discuss.

NCNA Movie Night

On the evening of August 24th, neighbors gathered at Wyatt Community Center for games, cotton candy, and a movie. Kids played soccer, kickball and bounced in one neighbor’s bouncy house while parents chatted nearby and helped the Parks Department get the inflatable screen set up for the movie. Cassie Nice, from the NCNA Social Committee, made cotton candy, and neighborhood kids sold cupcakes, light up gear and handmade bracelets.

We were also happy to share materials to help people update voter registration and to give information about when early voting will take place this fall (October 16 - 31). NCNA member and neighbor, Allison Gorman, attended and was able to answer questions about her campaign for State House Representative for District 26.

We had planned to show Guardians of the Galaxy, but unfortunately the movie didn’t make it to us, so we appreciated everyone’s flexibility as we pivoted and watched Trolls. What a great night.