Tennessee Dedicates 54th State Park at Cummins Falls
Monday, May 21, 2012 | 05:13pm
Governor Haslam and TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau to Preside Over Ceremony
COOKEVILLE, 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 Tuesday, May 22, for a dedication ceremony announcing the newly created Cummins Falls State Park. The new state park will serve as the 54th addition to the Tennessee State Parks system.
Located on the beautiful Blackburn Fork State Scenic River, this idyllic 211-acre site in Jackson County is home to Tennessee’s eighth largest waterfall at 75 feet high. Cummins Falls is formed on the Eastern Highland Rim and has been a favorite scenic spot and swimming hole for residents of Jackson and Putman counties for more than 100 years. Cummins Falls also has been listed as one of the ten best swimming holes in the United States by Travel and Leisure magazine.
The addition of the new park at Cummins Fall was made possible through the leadership of Gov. Haslam, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and through the very generous support of the Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation. Other key partners include the Nature Conservancy’s Tennessee Chapter, the Cummins Family, the State Lands Acquisition Fund and the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
WHO:
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam
Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau
State Senator Charlotte Burks
State Representative Ryan Williams
State Representative Kelly Keisling
TWRA Director Ed Carter
Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill, Tennessee State Parks
Interim Director of Parks Mike Robertson, Tennessee State Parks
Jackson County Mayor John Cason
Putnam County Mayor Kim Burks-Blaylock
President and CEO Kathleen Williams, Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation
Board Chairman Dr. Chuck Womack, Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation
Mack Prichard, State Naturalist Emeritus
WHAT:
Dedication of Cummins Falls State Park – Tennessee’s 54th State Park
There will be a 30-minute program, including music and special remarks by Gov. Haslam
A catered lunch will follow
WHEN:
Tuesday, May 22
11:15 a.m. Arrival / Remarks at Noon / Lunch at 12:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Cummins Falls
1225 Cummins Mill Road (at Blackburn Fork Road)
Cookeville, TN 38501
Located in the Cordell Hull watershed, Cummins Falls’ forest includes a variety of oaks, beech, buckeye, sycamore and hemlock trees. The property’s forested streamside protects turkey, quail and eagles, as well as a variety of fox and mink. Through a cooperative agreement with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, fishing for bluegill and bass along the riverbank will be permitted with a Tennessee fishing license. The park will be a day-use park and will be open from 8 a.m. until sunset year-round.
Members of the media are invited to attend the dedication ceremony, followed by lunch. The ceremony will be held at the newly created trail head. From Nashville and Interstate 40 East, take exit 280 to Highway 56 North toward Gainesboro for 7.7 miles. Turn right on Highway 290 and go approximately 0.9 miles. Turn left onto Cummins Mill Road for 2.1 miles and then left onto Blackburn Fork Road for 0.2 miles. Parking is available at newly graded lot and kiosk area, and shuttle buses will drive guests to the actual event site.
Tennessee's 54 state parks and 82 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 additional information, visit our Web site at www.tnstateparks.com.
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