Cosmic Brownies, Oatmeal Creme Pies, and Christmas Tree Cakes galore. If you’re a Little Debbie lover, we have the Chattanooga attraction for you—the Little Debbie Park!
About the Little Debbie Park
Located just 20 minutes north of Chattanooga in Collegedale, Tennessee, this unique park is dedicated to all things Little Debbie. Throughout the park, visitors can see and play on unique statues shaped like their favorite Little Debbie snacks.
The park features a Cosmic Brownie climbing wall, an Oatmeal Creme Pie bench, a Nutty Buddy balance beam, and a Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake that appears in the park seasonally. There’s also a bronze statue of Debbie holding out a tray of delicious Swiss Cake Rolls. Around the park, you can also view signage detailing the story behind McKee Foods, the family bakery that created Little Debbies.
The Little Debbie Park also offers a nature-themed playground and plenty of walking trails for families and children to enjoy. With 10 acres, the park also features a large pavilion, public restrooms, picnic tables, and plenty of open greenspace. This is the perfect place to take the family for a fun day outside.
Why Little Debbie?
Little known fact is that Little Debbie was founded in Chattanooga, Tennessee! According to the McKee Foods website, the story begins in 1934 when O.D. McKee and his wife, Ruth, bought a bakery in Chattanooga called Jack’s Cookie Company. They began baking and selling cakes to earn a living for themselves and their three children during the depression.
In 1937, they actually moved Jack’s Cookie Company to Charlotte, North Carolina; however, they couldn’t stay away long. O.D. and Ruth returned to the Scenic City in 1952 and eventually moved the business to Collegedale, where it still resides today, in 1957.
The iconic name came around in 1960, according to the Little Debbie website. O.D. and Ruth were trying to create a new company name to sell their individually-wrapped snacks under. After talking with one of their packaging suppliers, they decided to name the company Little Debbie after their 4-year-old granddaughter, inspired by a photo of Debbie in a straw hat which would go on to become the company’s iconic logo.
Little Debbie Shop
While you’re out exploring the Little Debbie Park, you may also want to stop by the bakery and Little Debbie Shop just a short drive away. Here, you can purchase snack boxes, mugs, and other Little-Debbie themed merch to commemorate your trip. And don’t forget to load up on all your favorite treats (like the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes), often at discounted prices.
Twenty minutes outside of Chattanooga, in Hixson, Tennessee, you can also check another Little Debbie store. At this location, Little Debbies are sold at shockingly discounted prices due to upcoming expiration dates, overstock, damaged boxes, or other imperfections. While nothing is wrong with the cakes themselves, it’s a great opportunity to grab some discounted goods.
