Three State Park Inns in West Tennessee Receive Green Designation

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau and Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill announced today the inns at Paris Landing, Natchez Trace and Pickwick Landing state parks have been certified as “Tennessee Green Hospitality” facilities by the Tennessee Hospitality Association. The three hotels join a roster of only 33 certified facilities in the state, including the Inn at Fall Creek Falls State Park.

To achieve Tennessee Green Hospitality certification, a hotel must demonstrate a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas including an optional linen service; recycling and reducing waste; water conservation; energy conservation; offering a “green events” package; and a written plan for continued environmental improvement. The inns at Paris Landing, Natchez Trace and Pickwick Landing have received certification based on these different areas, which improve environmental excellence.

 

“The teams at all three of these outstanding state park inns have made tremendous strides toward improving their operations in an effort to maintain a high level of sustainability,” Martineau said. “I am proud of Inn Managers Gary McEntire, Cindy Glover and George Ross, along with their staffs’ dedication in achieving such a notable designation.”

 

The Tennessee Hospitality Association’s Green Hospitality Program encourages lodging facilities and restaurants to be aware of their impact on the environment and to take steps to reduce their carbon footprints, while enhancing the overall sustainability of their operations. The program is designed to give assurance to guests through a third-party audit that certified facilities are environmentally responsible.

 

“We are very proud of the work that has been accomplished at Paris Landing, Natchez Trace and Pickwick Landing in order to receive this certification,” added Hill. “We plan to keep our efforts geared toward the green initiative to ensure our state parks continue to be environmentally friendly.”

 

In addition to the Inn at Fall Creek Falls, the newly added state park facilities join the Chattanooga Choo Choo, Loews Vanderbilt Plaza, and the Doubletree Hotel Memphis among hotels across the state to receive this certification. 

 

“All three inns displayed levels of both professionalism and dedication to ensure sustainable practices were put into place or made more efficient,” said Dobbin Callahan, president of Skye Con environmental consulting firm and third-party auditor for the Tennessee Green Hospitality program. “The commitment to quality was evident and only complemented their efforts to continue protecting our natural resources.”

 

Paris Landing State Park is an 841-acre park located on the western shore of the Tennessee River, which is dammed to form Kentucky Lake. The park sits on the widest part of the lake and is the perfect location for all water sports such as fishing, boating, swimming and skiing. The Conference Center at Paris Landing offers more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space in three conference rooms. Natchez Trace State Park is named for the famous "Natchez to Nashville" highway, an important wilderness road during the early 18th century. With the many acres of scenic woodlands, Natchez Trace State Park includes four lakes, a swimming beach, a 47-room resort inn and restaurant complex, cabins, camping, picturesque hiking trails and 250 miles of horse riding trails, among many other amenities. Pickwick Landing State Park is located just south of Pickwick Dam and 12 miles south of Savannah, Tenn. The lake and river offer excellent fishing, boating, swimming and a marina. Accommodations in the park include a modern inn and restaurant, cabins and camping. 

 

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 1-888-867-2757. For additional information about Tennessee State Parks, visit www.tnstateparks.com.