Black Creek this month — October 2026

Hi neighbors, and happy November! October was a beautiful month on the mountain, and the calendar for the rest of the fall is filling up fast. Here are the highlights from this month's Black Creek updates, plus what's coming up.

Events

• The 4th Annual First Tee & Friends tournament is Monday, Nov. 2, at Black Creek Golf Club, raising money for First Tee of Chattanooga's youth programs. Registration opens at 9:30 a.m., with an 11 a.m. shotgun start and awards and a silent auction at 4 p.m. It's a four-person select shot at $2,200 per team. Source: https://tgfchattanooga.org/first-tee-and-friends/
• Bring the dog to Tails, Trails, and Ales at Reflection Riding, 400 Garden Road, on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., a multi-race trail day for you and your four-legged friend. Ticket prices: not confirmed. Source: https://reflectionriding.org/events
• Reflection Riding members have a free Fall Celebration in the Native Plant Nursery that same Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with nature crafts, herbal tea, yoga at noon, and early access to the end-of-season plant sale. Source: https://reflectionriding.org/events/fall-celebration-event-for-members-2026
• Kasvot Chätt closes out the fall Campfire Concert Series at Reflection Riding, presented by Black Creek Chattanooga, on Friday, Nov. 13. Ticket price: not confirmed. Source: https://reflectionriding.org/concerts
• Healing with Nature with The Chattery is Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon at Reflection Riding, a gently paced morning of silent sensory walks, nature journaling, and gratitude practices. Ticket price: not confirmed. Source: https://reflectionriding.org/events/healing-with-nature-with-the-chattery-2026-nov-14
• Later on Nov. 14, Reflection Riding hosts a Woodland Walk from 2 to 3:30 p.m. to learn to identify trees. On Wednesday, Nov. 18, White Duck Taco Shop holds a Giveback Night for Reflection Riding from 5 to 8 p.m. (which location: not confirmed), and PBS Kids Day with WTCI PBS is Saturday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to noon. Source: https://reflectionriding.org/events
• The Tennessee River Gorge Trust and Lodge Cast Iron host a fall cookout on Williams Island on Thursday, Nov. 19, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Guests meet at 613 Terminal Road for a boat ride over, then a short hike to a campfire dinner. It's free for ages 10 and up, with a suggested $40 donation to the trust. Source: https://www.trgt.org/gorgeousadventures
• The 4th annual Black Creek Holiday Tour of Homes is Saturday, Dec. 5, from 2 to 6 p.m. It starts at the Black Creek Clubhouse with sweets, warm cider and a Christopher Radko ornament, then visits six decorated homes. Tickets are $35, and proceeds go to CADAS recovery programs. Source: https://www.chattanoogan.com/2026/10/15/524760/4th-Annual-Black-Creek-Holiday-Tour.aspx
• Make a day of Dec. 5: the MAINx24 Chili Championship benefiting Reflection Riding runs that morning from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 326 East Main Street. Source: https://reflectionriding.org/events
• The Holiday Hustle 5K'ish and 10K'ish is Sunday, Dec. 13, on the new Aetna Mountain trails. Packet pickup is 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. and both races start at 9 a.m. from 400 Alpine Way. Hikers are welcome, every runner gets Christmas swag and pancakes, and it supports the Tennessee River Gorge Trust. Registration closes Dec. 12 at 11:59 p.m. Entry fee: not confirmed. Source: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=134140
• Looking further ahead, Reflection Riding has an ASL-interpreted Hard of Hearing Night: Winged Wisdom on Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., and Under the Wolf Moon: Red Wolves and Mindful Trails on Friday, Jan. 22, 2027, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost: not confirmed. Source: https://reflectionriding.org/events

Construction & development

• Case 2026-0106 would rezone 400, 402 and 405 Garden Road, home of Reflection Riding, from residential to OS Open Space and A-1 Urban Agricultural. It had its first City Council reading on Oct. 13 and was on the Oct. 27 agenda for final reading, recommended for approval by the Planning Commission and staff. Outcome of the final vote: not confirmed. Source: https://register.chattanooga.gov/sites/default/files/resources/10-27-2026-Council-Agenda_0.pdf
• Reflection Riding says its Welcome Center upgrades are nearly complete, with dry-laid Tennessee sandstone pathways and new breezeway decking. Source: https://reflectionriding.org/nature-center-news-updates/thoughtful-by-design
• The Aetna Mountain trails, now about 8 miles after the Tennessee River Gorge Trust's Phase II opened in August, made Chattanooga Vibe's "New and Notable" list for October. They include a beginner-friendly green loop, on land donated by the Black Creek neighborhood. Source: https://chattanoogavibe.com/chattanooga-new-and-notable-october-2026/

A question for Brian

• "Can I walk to the Aetna Mountain trails from my house in Black Creek?" The trails are right in our backyard: the trailhead is off River Gorge Drive, on land our neighborhood donated, and the Holiday Hustle on Dec. 13 starts at 400 Alpine Way and heads past the club to the back of the subdivision. How easy a walk it is depends on your street, so give me a call and I'll help you find your best route. Source: https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/aug/22/tennessee-river-gorge-trust-opens-second-phase-of/ ; https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=134140