Alpine Crest Arboretum, Outdoor Learning Center and Gardens is located on 17 acres which provide a unique opportunity for outdoor learning. The school was built in 1957. The Hamilton County Master Gardeners adopted the school as a new project in 2014 and the OLC was rededicated. The goal was to provide outdoor experiences while educating students on curriculum based subjects such as trees, birds, pollinators, composting and water conservation.
In 2018 the OLC received a State of Tennessee Search for Excellence Award. In the summer of 2023 the OLC was expanded with another covered area, a fire pit and picnic tables to accommodate the new Forest Kindergarten class.
In the summer of 2024 the Alpine Crest Level 1 Arboretum was certified to become the first arboretum on a public school property in Hamilton County. The arboretum includes 34 trees which are labeled and identified on a map. Arboretum hours : School days 5 pm to sunset, Non-school days sunrise to sunset.
Over the past several years the garden area has been updated and includes a certified Monarch butterfly garden. There are multiple raised beds to grow vegetables, herbs and flowers and a compost bin. More hiking trails have been added with signage. There is a bluebird trail with six houses monitored by members of the Chattanooga Bluebird Society. One has a camera for classes to view the activity during nesting season.
Alpine Crest is located at: 4700 Stagg Road, Red Bank, TN 37415
Project Leader: Randy O’Haver