Cove Lake, Indian Mountain, Norris Dam and Cumberland Trail State Parks to Hold Joint Anniversary Event March 9

Celebration Will Help Commemorate Tennessee State Parks’ 75^th Anniversary

 

NASHVILLE – The year 2012 marks Tennessee State Parks’ 75th Anniversary and to help commemorate this important milestone, Cove Lake, Cumberland Trail, Indian Mountain and Norris Dam state parks are joining together for a special event on Friday, March 9, beginning at 1 p.m. Media are invited to attend the event, which will be held at Cove Lake State Park. 

 

“We are very excited to celebrate Tennessee State Parks’ 75th Anniversary this year,” said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau.  “These four outstanding state parks serve as popular destinations in East Tennessee, offering great programs, beautiful vistas and top-notch amenities to their many visitors and to the communities they serve.  The upcoming event at Cove Lake is just one of many statewide celebrations we will be holding throughout the year. It will be an opportunity to thank the parks’ Friends Groups and the local community for all their hard work and support.” 

 

WHO:              

Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill, Tennessee State Parks

Interim Director of State Parks Mike Robertson

East Tennessee Parks Area Manager Herb Roberts

Park Manager Kim Moore, Cove Lake State Park

Park Manager Bobby Fulcher, Cumberland Trail State Park

Park Manager Jerome Cummins, Indian Mountain State Park               

Park Manager Mark Morgan, Norris Dam Sate Park

Special Adviser to Tennessee State Parks Mike Stubbs

Local elected officials and community members

 

WHAT:             

Joint 75th Anniversary event for Cove Lake, Cumberland Trail, Indian Mountain and Norris Dam state parks

There will be a series of short presentations, followed by light refreshments

           

WHEN:             

Friday, March 9, 2012

1 p.m. Eastern Time

 

WHERE:           

Cove Lake State Park’s Recreation Lodge

110 Cove Lake Lane

Caryville, Tenn. 37714

 

The Tennessee State Parks system was established through legislation in 1937, and those laws – with modifications and additions over the years – remain the framework for park operations today.  As in most states, Tennessee began in cooperation with federal programs that instigated individual parks. Later, Depression era recovery programs gave a boost to the idea and the possibility of creating parks. The Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration worked on land conservation, but also delved further into the actual planning and construction of what would become the first of 53 Tennessee State Parks.

 

Today, there is a state park within an hour’s drive of just about anywhere in Tennessee.  A 2009 University of Tennessee study highlights the positive economic impacts that state parks provide local communities, particularly in rural areas of the state.  The study found that for every dollar spent on trips to Tennessee State Parks, an additional $1.11 of economic activity was generated throughout the state.  When the direct and indirect expenditures were combined, the impact of Tennessee State Parks to the state’s economy was $1.5 billion in total industry output, supporting more than 18,600 jobs.

 

“Our vision statement highlights the inherent value of our natural environment, along with the value of the many physical reminders of Tennessee’s past,” added Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill.  “Tennessee’s state parks have played such an important role in our history, and they play a critical role in our health and quality of life, which will benefit Tennesseans well into the future.”

Tennessee’s state parks deliver a rich fabric of natural landscapes, wild places, preserved ecologies, outdoor recreational opportunities and protected historic scenes and resources – together representing the heritage of Tennessee in the landscape.

 

Tennessee's 53 state parks and 82 state natural areas 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 upcoming events in connection with the 75th Anniversary of Tennessee State Parks, please visit the state parks website at www.tnstateparks.com.

 

Located in the city of Caryville in Campbell County, Cove Lake State Park is 30 miles northwest of Knoxville, on U.S. 25 West and I-75, between LaFollette and Lake City. From I-75, take Exit #134, travel 1/2 miles on Veterans Memorial Highway and take the first left.  For additional details about the event, please contact the park office at (423) 566-9701. 

 

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Editor’s Note:  An electronic version of Tennessee State Parks’ 75th Anniversary logo is attached for your convenience.