Tims Ford State Park to Celebrate New Visitor Center and Trail July 14
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 | 09:19am
Governor Haslam and TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau to preside over ribbon-cutting ceremony
WINCHESTER, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau will join members of the General Assembly, local elected officials and members of the community on Thursday, July 14, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and official grand opening of Tims Ford State Park’s new visitor center and Lost Creek Overlook Trail.
Dedicated in 1978, Tims Ford is a relatively new state park that now manages nearly 3,000 acres on the Tims Ford Reservoir, including six islands, the Fairview Campground and seven public access areas around the reservoir. As part of the Tims Ford Reservoir Land Management and Disposition Plan, more than 2,000 acres have been added to Tims Ford State Park since 2000. The new visitor center was designed with the park’s growth in mind, providing a better-equipped facility to meet increased visitation and community needs.
The 4,000-square-foot visitor center also will house a new gift shop, park offices and public meeting space. Incorporating a bit of history, the visitor center will include an exhibit titled Tims Ford, A Lake, A Park, A People, developed in conjunction with Middle Tennessee State University. The interpretive history will share photos and stories of the communities along the Elk River that were impacted by the development of the Tims Ford Reservoir.
Also enhancing the park is the new Tims Ford Heritage Trail System, created to offer visitors greater access to unique areas of the park. The new trail system allows park visitors an opportunity to walk a variety of trails and learn more about the homes and families that once lived on the land before there was a lake or a park. The Lost Creek Overlook Trail, along with the Old Spann House Trail and Ray Branch Trail, are all part of the trail development plan.
“The new visitor center and trail system are great additions to Tims Ford State Park and will serve as a distinctive draw to one of the state’s most popular state parks,” said Martineau. “While there are simply too many to name, this project truly did bring an entire community together and I want to thank all of these individuals for their hard work and dedication throughout the entire process.”
WHO:
Gov. Bill Haslam
Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau
Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill, Tennessee State Parks
State Senator Eric Stewart
State Representative David Alexander
Franklin County Executive Richard Stewart
Metro Moore Executive Sloan Stewart
Gary Farris, President, Tims Ford Environmental Education Association
Pam Peck, President, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
Judy Taylor, Executive Director, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
Randall Taylor, Vice President, Neuhoff Taylor Architects, P.C.
Terry Preston, Contractor
Tommy Beam, Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Jack Daniel’s Distillery
Assistant Commissioner Mike Carlton, Tennessee State Parks
Regional Manager Mike Robertson, Tennessee State Parks
Facilities Director Murray Crow, Tennessee State Parks
Tims Ford State Park Manager Chris Padgett
Ed Wasserman, Director, Tennessee Department of Transportation Structures
John Hastings, Construction Manager, TDOT Structures
Bob Qualey, Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration
Jeff Fields, Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration
WHAT:
Ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house for Tims Ford State Park visitor center and Lost Creek Overlook Trail
WHEN:
Thursday, July 14, at 10 a.m. (CDT)
WHERE:
570 Tims Ford Drive, Winchester, Tenn., 37398
Members of the media and public are invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by light refreshments. The ceremony will be held at the new visitor center, located approximately a quarter mile from the park’s entrance on the right. From Nashville, take I-24 East to exit 111 at Manchester. Turn left onto Highway 55 West toward Tullahoma. Turn left onto State Highway 130 South, turning right on Awalt Road. Follow Awalt Road until it dead ends at Mansford Road. Turn left onto Mansford Road – the park entrance is 1.6 miles on the right. For additional information or directions from other areas of the state, please visit www.tnstateparks.com/TimsFord.
Tims Ford State Park is situated on Tims Ford Reservoir in the rolling hills of southern Middle Tennessee and serves as one of the state’s most popular recreational and fishing areas. The 10,700-acre Tims Ford Lake is one of the most picturesque in Tennessee and is regarded as one of the top bass fishing and recreational lakes in the Southeast. Long before the construction of Tims Ford Dam on the headwaters of the Elk River, the area was used extensively by American Indians as a hunting and fishing territory. Archaeological excavations uncovered numerous artifacts and occupational sites, indicating that man had occupied the area as early as 10,000 to 12,000 years ago.
Tennessee's 53 state parks offer diverse natural, recreational and cultural experiences for individuals, families or business and professional groups. State park features range from pristine natural areas to 18-hole championship golf courses. For a free brochure about Tennessee State Parks, call toll free at 1-888-867-2757. For additional information, visit our Web site at www.tnstateparks.com.
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