For the third straight year, one of the premier endurance trail runs in the South has utilized the Long Branch trails.  The Rock/Creek Lookout 50 mile run in mid-December attracted over 150 runners from all over the country and takes advantage of the incredible terrain and views that surround Long Branch.  Long Branch, of course, is surrounded on three sides by Lula Lake Land Trust property and the race wends its way through the hills a creeks of land trust land before coming into Long Branch where it takes a big loop, thus encompassing much of our land.  For the first time this year's race enjoyed perfect weather and many of the runners commented (when they could breathe) about the beautiful surroundings of Long Branch.

Many Long Branch homeowners were able to attend the newest outdoor event in the country, the RiverRocks Festival in downtown Chattanooga.  The inaugural ten day event was welcomed by perfect fall weather throughout.  The festival featured everything from hot air balloon rides to the nationally known Stump Jump 50K trail run for expert ultra marathoners to events in kayaking, climbing, mountain biking and more even for raw beginners.  It was a HUGE success and further marks Chattanooga as one of the great destination spots for outdoor enthusiasts, and an absolute grand environment to live for those that want participation in the out of doors to be part of the everyday life.  Coolidge Park, where most of the events were staged, is 20-25 minutes from homes at Long Branch!

As a native of this area and one who remembers the smog-filled days of the 60s and early 70s, it is so uplifting to see the green movement and especially the emphasis on the importance of open space come to fruition.  Chattanooga is without a doubt on the radar nation-wide as a place that values and supports the preservation of these natural playgrounds, and the corresponding thirst for outdoor activity is only growing exponentially.  There are so many examples of local efforts in this regard, but one of the most recent is Hamilton County's "newest and most prized public property," Enterprise South's 2800 acre Nature Park.  Talk about a "swords into plowshares" story - these 2800 (2800!!!) acres are carved out of the 7000 acres that the federal government acquired in the World War II era for the purpose of manufacturing ammunition.  At the peak, some 3500 workers were employed there, largely hidden from public view.  The plant shut down in 1977 and later became a huge opportunity for the Chattanooga area.  Business and civic leaders came to view the abandoned acreage as a huge opportunity for the local economy and culminated their efforts with the landing of the $1B Volkswagen assembly plant currently under construction and set to have the first cars come off the assembly line in 2011.  But, in addition, local leaders and local citizens recognized and fought for the additional designation of a natural area to provide open space as well as areas for outdoor activity.