Pickwick Landing State Park to Hold Anniversary Event and Open House June 23

Celebration Will Help Commemorate Tennessee State Parks’ 75th Anniversary

PICKWICK DAM, Tenn. – The year 2012 marks Tennessee State Parks’ 75th Anniversary, and to help commemorate this important milestone, Pickwick Landing State Park will hold a special community event on Saturday, June 23, celebrating both the anniversary and the dedication of the newly renovated marina store. 

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the public is invited to attend the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the park’s marina store.  There will be a series of short presentations, followed by complimentary snacks, hotdogs with all the trimmings, and a special commemorative cake in honor of Tennessee State Parks’ 75th anniversary.  Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy an afternoon at the park. 

“We are very excited to celebrate Tennessee State Parks’ 75th Anniversary this year,” said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau.  “Pickwick Landing State Park offers a variety of unique amenities and is a fitting backdrop for one of the many statewide celebrations we will be holding throughout the year.  It’s also a great opportunity to thank the park’s many patrons and the entire local community for all their hard work and efforts in support of this beautiful state park.” 

WHO:

Pickwick Landing State Park Manager Guy Garner

The Friends of Pickwick Landing State Park

Local elected officials and community members

WHAT:

Pickwick Landing 75th Anniversary Event / Marina Store Open House

There will be a series of short presentations, followed by snacks, hotdogs and cake

WHEN:

Saturday, June 23 / 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE:

Pickwick Landing State Park

Park Road

Pickwick Dam, Tenn. 38365

*please note the marina is located nearby on Marina Road  

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 54 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 54 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.

In commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of Tennessee State Parks, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation launched an innovative new microsite at www.tnstateparks75.com. Established in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the microsite displays Tennessee State Parks’ rich heritage and showcases the many outdoor adventures awaiting state park visitors through rich media and dynamic content.

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.  The park is made up of 1,400 acres of forested hills and hollows, with a 2.8-mile trail to explore and enjoy the wildlife and plant life around the lake. Picnicking, swimming, golfing and play fields are just a few of the amenities.  For more information about Pickwick Landing State Park, please visit www.tnstateparks.com/PickwickLanding.

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