Rock Spring, GA (November 14, 2025) – Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® announced today Walker County has been awarded its 2026 Placemaking Project to enhance the safety of Walker Rocks Park.
The Placemaking Project will fund the addition of a protective fence around the playground’s perimeter to provide a containment zone for children with special needs. The playground, which is located in Rock Spring on the Walker County Civic Center Campus, was designated as a Playcore National Demonstration Site for Inclusive Play in 2024.
“Autistic children are known to elope, due to their lack of sense of danger,” said Joe Legge, Director of Communications and Community Development, Walker County. “We’re thankful the Greater Chattanooga REALTORS team wanted to partner with us to address this issue and recognized the impact it will have on our community. The new playground fencing will give parents and caregivers greater peace of mind, ensuring safety, security, and fun for all.”
Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® Placemaking Projects address a specific need or problem in a community, have community support and are creative. Previous projects include an educational pollinator garden, a new trailhead in St Elmo and a community flower garden.
“Our Placemaking Committee was inspired by Walker County’s vision for Walker Rocks Park,” said Winnie Paris, 2025 Chair of the Placemaking Committee. “This project truly reflects the goals of the committee. By helping fund the protective fencing and a new water fountain, we’re investing in features that will serve local families by making the space safer, more inclusive, and more welcoming for years to come.”
Along with fencing and a filtered water bottle filling station, four additional benches will be stationed around the playground as part of this project to provide visitors with more space to relax and interact.
Walker Rocks Park opened in 2024 following completion of the first two phases of the playground. The county received a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior-National Park Service to help complete the third phase of the playground this fall.
The Greater Chattanooga REALTORS® Placemaking Project will be one of several enhancements taking place at the park in the months to come. Construction of four pickleball courts is anticipated to be completed by the end of the year. The county also received a Recreational Trails Program grant to resurface the trail at the park next year.