October 31, 2025 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
TENNESSEE STATE PARKS TO DISCUSS SITE MANAGEMENT PLANS, RECEIVE PUBLIC FEEDBACK FOR 14 STATE PARKS
NASHVILLE – Tennessee State Parks will hold public meetings across the state in the coming weeks to discuss site management plans specific to 14 parks.
The plan for each park is part of a 10-year Comprehensive Strategic Plan that guides the operations of all 62 state parks in Tennessee. Each park plan is required to be reviewed and updated within that period.
The meetings are an opportunity to hear more about the plans from each park’s staff with an opportunity for public response. The parks have developed specific strategic management proposals and are inviting input about those objectives. The in-person meetings will be held at or near the individual parks.
Key components of the plans for each park focus on the four cornerstones of park management: resource stewardship; visitor experience; facilities and amenities; and operational excellence.
“Public input is vital to the continued success of our state parks,” said Greer Tidwell, deputy commissioner of Conservation for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. “These meetings are a fun opportunity for Tennesseans to help shape the future of our state parks and fulfill our mission to preserve, protect, and share Tennessee's natural and cultural resources while providing safe and quality outdoor experiences.”
The meetings will be from Nov. 10 through Jan. 8.
The schedule is:
Cove Lake State Park
Monday, Nov. 10, 5:30 p.m.
Cove Lake State Park Recreation Building
153 Goose Ln., Caryville, TN 37714
Booker T. Washington State Park
Thursday, Nov. 13, 5:30 p.m.
Booker T. Washington Assembly Hall
5871 Champion Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37416
Big Ridge State Park
Monday, Nov. 17, 5:30 p.m.
Big Ridge State Park Recreation Hall
1016 Big Ridge State Park Rd., Maynardville, TN 37807
Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 5:30 p.m.
Erwin Town Hall
211 N. Main Avenue, Erwin, TN 37650
Bledsoe Creek State Park
Monday, Dec. 8, 5:30 p.m.
Highpoint Health – Formerly Sumner Regional Medical Center
555 Hartsville Pike, Gallatin, TN 37066
Cumberland Mountain State Park
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 5:30 p.m.
Cumberland Mountain State Park Recreation Hall
582 Swin Drive, Crossville, TN 38555
David Crockett State Park
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 5:30 p.m.
The Restaurant at David Crockett State Park
245 Crockett Park Road, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464
Big Hill Pond State Park
Thursday, Dec. 11, 5:30 p.m.
Big Hill Pond Visitor Center
1435 John Howell Road, Pocahontas, TN 38061
Harpeth River State Park
Monday, Dec. 15, 6:30 p.m.
Montgomery Bell Visitor Center - Auditorium
1020 Jackson Hill Road, Burns, TN 37029
Montgomery Bell State Park
Monday, Dec. 15, 5:30 p.m.
Montgomery Bell Visitor Center - Auditorium
1020 Jackson Hill Road, Burns, TN 37029
Burgess Falls State Park
Tuesday, Dec. 16, 5:30 p.m.
Burgess Falls Maintenance Shop
8487 Burgess Falls Rd., Baxter, TN 38544
Middle Fork Bottoms State Park
Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
Three-Way City Hall
174 Three-Way Lane, Humboldt, TN 38343
Chickasaw State Park
Thursday, Dec. 18, 5:30 p.m.
Chickasaw State Park, Sagamore Lodge
20 Cabin Ln., Henderson, TN 38340
North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park
Thursday, Jan. 8, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
Greenway Farm Conference Center
4960 Gann Store Rd., Hixson, TN 37343
A theme throughout the plans is the commitment to a high-quality parks system that delivers world-class parks, trails, and facilities, is known regionally and nationally for its standard of excellence and supports unique outdoor recreation opportunities for all. This comes while contributing to local economies and the quality of life in Tennessee.
Comments will be accepted through Jan. 31 in an online survey or via mail.
Anyone interested in the Comprehensive Strategic Plan, the individual park plan updates, and the meeting schedule can go to this link. Go to this link to access the online survey and provide comments.
Comments by mail should be addressed to:
Attn: Liz Campbell
Davy Crockett Tower
500 James Robertson Parkway, 8th floor
Nashville, TN 37243