Fort Pillow State Historic Park Strategic Management Plan

Park Purpose, History and Description

Fort Pillow State Historic Park was primarily designed to protect and preserve the historic remains of the 1861 breastworks, battlefields, and the fort which represents the Civil War History of the park. The secondary uses include camping, boating access to the 25-acre Park Lake, fishing, picnicking, hiking, wildlife viewing, and programs for all ages on nature, history, and recreational activities.

The mission of Fort Pillow State Historic Park is to “protect and preserve unique examples of natural, cultural, and scenic areas and provide a variety of quality outdoor experiences through a well-planned and well-managed system”. Fort Pillow has been designated an historical area because of the significance of the site’s Civil War history. The primary reasons for the Parks existence are preservation and cultural enrichment.

Goals, Objectives, and Action Plans

Resources

Visitor

Amenities

Operations

THE RESOURCES: Exemplary Natural and Cultural Stewardship

Goal: Tennessee State Parks will be nationally recognized for exemplary stewardship of natural and cultural resources.

Objective: More and better stewards: Increase internal and external stewards who share Tennessee State Parks core values and can contribute to the State Parks mission to preserve, protect, and share Tennessee’s natural and cultural resources.

Action Plan:

• Increase onsite and offsite interpretive programs for schools, church groups, scout groups, and anyone seeking knowledge with regards to the Natural and Historical aspects of Fort Pillow State Historic Park. To continue to work with and organize events with the descendants of the Battle of Fort Pillow of 1864, local administrative staff, elected officials, scout leaders, and other representatives.

Objective: Better resource management practices: Identify, manage, and restore unique natural and cultural resources for generations to come.

Action Plan:

• To continue with the utilization of resource management projects to help ensure the natural and Historical features are protected, maintained, and present for generations to come. To work with and encourage all staff to not only assist with all resource management projects and to assist with the research to make the project their own and to ensure the Park is cared for with the upmost professional manner. To work with uniformed staff so that the importance of resource management is portrayed in every program offered and that all visitors are aware and understand the importance of it.

Objective: Better data and technology: Leverage data and technology to help inform and guide decisions on natural and cultural resources stewardship.

Action Plan:

• To provide a written list of all Historical features within and outside the trail system to not only educate the staff and the visitors but to ensure they are maintained to the highest standard. To provide signage at each historical landmark to help identify and teach the public, and to ensure everyone is aware of their surroundings. This will be implemented through the NPS Grant in 2026. To continue with the removal of invasive species through partnerships with local organizations and signature events such as the Weed Wrangle.

THE VISITOR: Welcoming and Inviting to All

Goal: Tennessee State Parks will be the most accessible, welcoming, and inviting system of parks that enriches Tennesseans and visitors through excellent interpretation, education, and resource-based recreation.

Objective: accessible, welcoming, and inviting to all: create quality and varied programs of interpretation, recreation, and outreach so that all audiences feel welcome and invited.

Action Plan:

• To continue with educating the public about the history of Fort Pillow through various ways, including Museum tours, Park tours, guided hikes, offsite programs, and presentations. While working with IPE, the staff at Fort Pillow will continue to “Tell Full Stories” regarding the 1864 Battle of Fort Pillow and all related Civil War History. The staff of Fort Pillow will continue to update and utilize the Park website to better tell the full story with the help of the State Parks IPE team.

Objective: high-quality programming: develop and support mission-based and resource-relevant programs to engage visitors, empower staff, and develop community wellbeing.

Action Plan:

• Work with uniform staff to document all programs being offered within and off the park. Allow Park staff to not only use this as a guide but to also add to and help ensure programming at Fort Pillow continues to grow. This resource will be used not only by uniformed staff but also by seasonal staff.

Objective: resource-based outdoor recreation: provide resource-based outdoor recreation opportunities that ensure representation of Tennessee’s natural, scenic, and cultural resources.

Action Plan:

• Provide outdoor opportunities to showcase not only the historical aspects of Fort Pillow but the natural beauty as well. Through signature hikes, monthly scheduled events, fee-based opportunities, and working with outside organizations, the staff of Fort Pillow will continue to grow and add outdoor opportunities.

THE AMENITIES: Well-Maintained Facilities and Amenities

Goal: Tennessee State Parks will be well maintained with facilities and amenities that delight visitors and make Tennesseans proud.

Objective: Improve maintenance: Improve overall maintenance and upkeep of all park facilities and amenities that contribute to meaningful visitor experiences.

Action Plan:

• Continue with daily facility inspections, not only encourage but provide training opportunities for all staff to better their knowledge in facility maintenance. Allow Park staff to participate in activities such as wood working at other parks to allow these practices to be utilized at Fort Pillow. Encourage staff to take advantage of all resource management training opportunities as well as higher education courses.

Objective: Better park accessibility: ensure all visitors have opportunities for meaningful experiences in every Tennessee State Park.

Action Plan:

• Through donations, 327.15 funds, and Park expenditures, Fort Pillow will continue to create areas that can accommodate everyone regardless of their accessibility. Fort Pillow will continue to provide trails to not only showcase what the Park has to offer but to ensure they are clear, well-marked, and ready for each user. Semi-monthly trail inspections will be utilized by all uniformed staff as well as maintenance staff. Daily inspections will be conducted by the Maintenance Supervisor with regards to facilities and reported back to the Park Manager. The staff of Fort Pillow will continue to work with Facilities and Management to ensure we provide adequate accessibility.

Objective: Quality and welcoming facilities and amenities: provide high-quality and well-planned facilities and amenities that enrich the visitor experience.

Action Plan:

• Ensure kiosk and park signage is maintained throughout the park. Inspections will be conducted daily during Park rounds. Ensure all facilities are not only well-maintained but also safe and ready for use. Through 327.15 funds, donations, and park expenditures, upgrades will be made as approval is given. Continue with kiosk upgrades through grants and updated signage through IPE. Fort Pillow currently provides free Wi-fi for all guests within the campground and Park Museum, which was funded by grant money for installation and the monthly services will be paid for through Park expenditures. Fort Pillow is currently working on an NPS AI Grant to provide new signage within the museum and trail system. The signage will also help visitors with knowing the location of each inner earthwork throughout the trail system as well as waypoints.

THE OPERATIONS: Operational Excellence

Goal: Tennessee State Parks will be a national model for operational excellence in a state park system.

Objective: Support and empower our people: support and empower our workforce by creating a caring environment that encourages professional growth and great customer service.

Action Plan:

• To ensure that all staff members complete all required training courses such as learning pyramid, customer service, respectful workplace, etc. Continue to work with outside agencies such as West Tn State Penitentiary to provide training opportunities close to the park that does not require extensive travel. Monthly updates will be given to each staff member with regards to their individual training roster. Other opportunities such as chainsaw safety, Power point presentation classes, Excel classes, GIS training will be encouraged and provided for all staff.

Objective: Efficient and effective operations: provide efficient, effective, and fiscally responsible service to Tennesseans and our visitors.

Action Step:

• To ensure the Park operates efficiently as possible. To ensure that staff is not wasteful with regards to supplies, fuel, electricity, water, and time. To continue to work with outside organizations for support with regards to litter removal, trail clearing, programming, donations, and other work-related functions. To continue to provide signature events to address evasive species and other related issues through volunteer hours and outside assistance.

Park Overview

Site Fact Sheet

¹Based on T.C.A. 11-3-305, Cost recovery of revenue-generating facilities

Key Attractions

The amenities or features listed below are those that seem to be most popular for visitors.

• Civil War Battle Site
• Topographical Significance of the Chickasaw Bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River
• Observation Deck/Slip In, color blind viewers
• Provides angling and boating opportunities for residents and destination travelers with a 25-acre lake, rentable watercraft, stocked with catfish yearly by TWRA in June
• Approximately 13 miles of trails that take you through the historical features that make up Fort Pillow State Historic Park
• Museum/Gift Shop/Visitors Center open 7 days a week with Artifacts, Park Video, Informative panels throughout
• Butterfly Garden-used as a wedding venue, relaxation, or just a place to unwind
• Family Campground with RV and tent sites
• Restored Fortification/Inner fortifications
• Group Camp-accommodates 200 tent campers
• Back Country Camping
• Watercraft Rentals
• Firewood and bagged ice sales and delivery
• Picnic Pavilion rental

Site and Operations Assessment

This site and operations assessment is a culmination of analyses and findings from a review of the condition of facilities, infrastructure, and operations at Fort Pillow State Historic Park. The findings and observations are not intended to be an exhaustive review of all issues present but provide a basic understanding of the predominant issues that contribute to the site’s current operating conditions. The assessment includes the following:

Site and Facility Assessment

Operational Assessment

Summary of Key Recommendations

Site and Facility Assessment

Methodology

Facility and asset conditions are rated using a differential scale of excellent, good, fair, or poor. Descriptions of conditions that are attributed to each of these findings are also provided.

Facility Inventory and Assessment

The table below is an inventory of facilities and amenities at Fort Pillow State Historic Park and provides the assessed condition of each as reviewed in September 2026.

Trail Inventory and Assessment

Fort Pillow will provide and maintain approximately 13 miles of hiking trails that will enable the hikers to gain knowledge of the Parks history and natural aspects, participate in Healthy Park Healthy Person, and at the same time cause no harm to the natural and cultural features. Fort Pillow has 3 trails each with their own significance to the park. The Blue Trail winds its way along the top of the Fist Chickasaw Bluff above the Mississippi River. The Red and Yellow trails are at time the same trail with the only difference being the Red Trail has 4 extra loops. The Yellow Trail encompasses the majority of the outer breastworks and all 5 inner fortifications. Fort Pillow staff constantly monitors the trail conditions and looks for issues such as erosion, fallen trees, litter, grass height, and flooding. Fort Pillow staff addresses issues as they arise such as the implantation of box style steps, water breaks, re-blazing of trails, adding of culverts, etc.

New Assets Needed

List new assets and amenities that would fall under capital expenditures that are needed to improve visitor experience and operational efficiency.

Prioritized Facility Needs

Based on the facility inventory and assessment, these prioritized needs have been identified.

Operational Assessment

The Operational Assessment includes:

1. An inventory and classification of programs and services being provided at the site,
2. A review of staffing at the site,
3. A review of concessionaires and partners operating at the site,
4. Visitation and customer satisfaction, and
5. Professional development and training.

Inventory and Classification of Programs and Services

Programs and services are classified into one of three major categories:

1. Core or Essential Services;
2. Important Services; and
3. Value added or Visitor Supported Services

Functions of the site are classified into these categories based in part on the mission and public mandates for both the site and the agency. For the programs and services in each of these categories, there are financial performance expectations that will define how services are funded and evaluated.

CATEGORY 1 – CORE SERVICES [Largely supported by public subsidies]

Core programs, services and facilities are those the agency must provide and/or are essential in order to capably govern and meet statutory requirements. The failure of the agency to provide Category 1 services at adequate levels could result in significant negative consequences for the public and the resources under protection. The criteria for programs or services to be classified as core or essential are:

• The services are mandated by the agency’s law or charter or are contractually obligated by agreement to provide the services.
• The services are essential to protecting and supporting the public’s health and safety.
• The services protect and maintain valuable assets and infrastructure.
• The services would generally and reasonably be expected and supported by residents, businesses, customers, and partners.
• The services are those that cannot or should not be provided by the private sector.
• The services provide a sound investment of public funds.

The following programs and services offered at Fort Pillow State Historic Park have been identified as core services:

• Support the mission of Tennessee State Parks which is “To preserve, protect, and share Tennessee’s natural and cultural resources while providing safe, quality outdoor experiences.”
• Provide for public access to the park, the facilities, and the grounds.
• Provide for public safety for visitors and protection of natural and cultural resources.
• Provide for maintenance of grounds, facilities, and infrastructure.
• Maintain facilities developed through the LWCF program to required standards.
• Provide for basic, non-staff supported day-use activities informational signage, trash cans and restroom facilities.
• Maintain Park drinking water and wastewater programs to state standards.

CATEGORY 2 – IMPORTANT SERVICES [Supported by a balance of revenues and public subsidy]

Important programs, services and facilities are those the agency should provide, and are important to governing and effectively serving residents, businesses, customers and partners. Providing Category 2 services expands or enhances the agency’s ability to provide and sustain its core services. The criteria for programs or services to be classified as important are:

• The services expand, enhance or support identified core services.
• The services are broadly supported and utilized by the community, and are considered an appropriate, important, and valuable public good. Public support may be conditional upon the manner by which the services are paid for or funded.
• The services generate income or revenue that offsets some or all of the operating cost and/or are deemed to provide economic, social or environmental outcomes or results.

The following programs and services offered at Fort Pillow State Historic Park have been identified as important services:

• Provide a full range of environmental, cultural, and recreational programs.
• Offer park-specific information at the Visitor Center and Museum.
• Provide educational programs for schools and organized groups
• Provide for basic, non-staff supported day-use activities (such as hiking and picnicking) with trails and picnic tables.

CATEGORY 3 – VISITOR SUPPORTED SERVICES [Almost exclusively supported by earned revenue]

Visitor supported programs, services and facilities are those discretionary services that the agency may provide when additional funding or revenue exists to offset the cost of providing those services. Category 3 services provide added value above and beyond what is required or expected. The criteria for programs or services to be classified as visitor supported are:

• The services expand, enhance or support Core Services, Important Services, and the quality of life of the visitors, community, or stakeholders.
• The services are supported, valued, and well utilized and provide an appropriate and valuable public benefit.
• The services generate income or funding from sponsorships, grants, user fees or other sources that offset some or all of their cost and/or provides a meaningful return on investment.
• The Services can possibly be provided through outsourcing or use of concessionaires, providing opportunities for community enterprise or services that may not otherwise be provided by the agency.

The following programs and services offered at Fort Pillow State Historic Park have been identified as visitor supported services:

• Operate and provide retail support services for the gift shop.
• Provide support services for 30 campsites.
• Provide support services for picnic shelters, group camp pavilion and back country camping.
• Provide support services for watercraft rentals
• Provide support services for firewood sales and delivery

Personnel / Staffing Review

Personnel and staffing at Fort Pillow State Historic Park represent the largest area of budgetary expense at an average of 81% of the total operating budget each year for the last three complete years, which is greater than the target of labor costs not exceeding 65% of total operating expenditures. The tables below and on the following page provide a basic review of the current staffing at the site.

Full-Time Equivalent Employees
*Law enforcement compensation confidential by TN law.

Part Time Employees

Labor Support

Total Labor Compensation Expense

Additional Future Positions Needed

Financial Performance

Revenue per available unit (Rev Per Unit) for the last four years in park facilities is detailed in the table below.

Current Rev Per Unit

Projected Rev Per Unit - Based on current Rev Per Unit trends at the park and any known developments over the next four years.

Customer Service

Professional Development and Training

The following professional development and training opportunities are being explored and planned for the staff and volunteers at this park:

• Wildland Firefighting
• Chainsaw Safety
• CIT training
• EMR training
• Routine management and skill training
• Quarterly administrative staff training
• Routine law enforcement training

Summary of Key Recommendations

Please provide short-term, mid-term, and long-term recommendations for addressing operational issues at the park and improving overall park performance.

Short Term Recommendations (Less than 1 year)

Site and Facilities

• add septic to 4 RV sites

Operations and Staffing

• Use custodial Lead on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays to clean and maintain

Customer Service / Visitor Experience

• Provide septic for 4 RV sites

• RV sites with septic are requested daily

Mid Term Recommendations (2-5 years)

Site and Facilities

• Remodel restrooms in the Museum to match new renovations within the museum

Operations and Staffing

• Use custodial lead except for Tuesday and Wednesday for cleaning and maintaining restroom
• Use Custodial Lead to clean all days except for Tuesday and Wednesday
• Add full-time interpretive ranger  

Customer Service / Visitor Experience

• Provide a modern restroom that matches the renovations within the museum area.

Long Term Recommendations (5+ years)

Site and Facilities

• Construction of historical Interpretive cabin; construction of cabins will enhance the interpretation provided by Park staff and will help show the living conditions of the civil war soldier

Operations and Staffing

• Uniform staff along with the living history presenters will use for interpretation throughout the year

Customer Service / Visitor Experience

• Allow visitors to see how living conditions were during the 1860s

• Help presenters better showcase the life of a civil war soldier

Resource Management Plan

A resource management plan is a specific statement of the objectives you have for your land and natural resources, as well as any significant cultural and historic resources stewarded by the state park. This includes a defined series of priorities and activities that will take place to meet those objectives. This can include future potential land acquisitions or divestitures that are necessary to meet the park’s resource management goals and objectives.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation exists to enhance the quality of life for citizens of Tennessee and to be stewards of our natural environment by: Protecting and improving the quality of Tennessee’s air, land, and water through a responsible regulatory system; Protecting and promoting human health and safety; Conserving and promoting natural, cultural, and historic resources; and providing a variety of quality outdoor recreational experiences.

The mission of Fort Pillow State Historic Park is to “protect and to preserve unique examples of natural, cultural, and scenic areas and provide a variety of quality outdoor experiences through a well-planned and well-managed system”. Fort Pillow has been designated as an historical area because of the significance of the site’s Civil War history. The primary reasons for the park’s existence are preservation and cultural enrichment.

The contents of this resource management plan are as follows:

Resource Management Objectives

Resource Inventory and Assessment

Management Strategies

Land Management Strategies

Resource Management Objectives

Goal

Tennessee State Parks will be nationally recognized for exemplary stewardship of natural and cultural resources.

Objectives

• More and better stewards: Increase internal and external stewards who share Tennessee State Parks core values and can contribute to the State Parks mission to steward Tennessee’s natural and cultural resources.
• Better resource management practices: Identify, manage, and restore unique natural and cultural resources for generations to come.
• Better data and technology: Leverage data and technology to help inform and guide decisions on natural and cultural resources stewardship.

Aligned with these objectives are specific strategies to achieve the desired outcomes for the natural, cultural, and historic resources of this park.

Strategies

A. Education-Work with local schools to show the importance of respecting our resources. Provide and promote programs to educate the public on the importance of valuing our state park resources. Park day and events such as Weed Wrangle are programs designated for volunteers to help clean up the outer earthworks and get a chance to learn about why they are built and how we preserve them.

B. Preservation-Protect all native species throughout the park through observation and education. Ban all planting of vegetation except when permission has been granted through regional supervision. Removal of any invasive species will be done through supervised instruction.

C. Maintenance-The Staff will ensure that all projects that involve planting and removal of all species will be supervised and/or work completed by credited licensed landscaper. All planted areas (butterfly garden) will be cared for and maintained to provide a pleasing and educational atmosphere for all park visitors. All material purchased to maintain the resources of Fort Pillow will be used in a way that will not cause harm to existing and future native resources

D. Protection for Inner Historical Fortifications-Provide water barriers to help prevent erosion damage. Replace all wood material such as walls in a way that will not damage or cause future damage to the fortifications. Provide education for the public in a way that will not negatively impact the historical significance

E. Protection for the outer earth/breast works-Provide water barriers to help prevent erosion damage. Replace all wood material such as walls in a way that will not damage or cause future damage to the fortifications. Provide education for the public in a way that will not negatively impact the historical significance.

F. Make repairs on all facilities and or structures in a way to which all historical and natural resources are not damaged-Ensure all park projects are supervised to ensure no damage is done to the historical and natural aspects of the park. Educate all contractors before any construction or work is done.

Resource Inventory and Assessment

The significant natural, cultural and historic resources of the park requiring management are detailed below including a condition assessment rating for each. Condition assessments are selected from the following options based on what most describes the current condition of the resource:

1. Excellent – resource is in excellent condition; all potential threats to the integrity of the resource are currently managed and effectively mitigated.
2. Good – resource is generally in good condition and stable; threats to the integrity of the resource require regular management to mitigate.
3. Fair – resource is in stable condition but difficult to mitigate ongoing threats; additional management support is required.
4. Poor – resource is generally in poor condition with management support required to both improve existing conditions and address threats.
5. Critical – resource is highly threatened or deteriorated and requires immediate management prioritization.

Management Strategies

The management strategies outlined below are directly correlated to the resources identified previously in the Resource Inventory and Assessment section immediately above. These are general and overall management recommendations for each resource from which priority actions will be determined. Each resource has both a “Public Use” management strategy (which could include limited or no public access, or managed access with infrastructure and regulation) and a “General Management” strategy.
The priority assignments reflect the highest resource management priorities of the park over the next 1-5 years (High Priority) and 6-10 years (Moderate Priority)

Land Management Strategies

In some cases, strategic land acquisitions or divestitures are necessary to meet the overall resource management goals and objectives of the park. This can include opportunities to address buffers, watersheds, viewsheds, inholdings, and adjacent properties. The table below details general strategies for land management. Timelines refer to Short Term (1-3 years), Mid Term (4-6 years), and Long Term (7-10 years).

Supplemental Information

Fort Pillow is made up of highly erodible soils which require constant erosion control practices like the ones mentioned above.

Interpretive Programming and Education Five-Year Action Plan

Tennessee State Parks’ Interpretation, Programming, and Education team is helping park staff set and achieve programming goals by developing Interpretive Action Plans. This process begins with conversations with Area Interpretive Rangers that prepare field staff for the Scoping Meeting. This meeting brings park staff and stakeholders together to identify audience(s), themes, resources, and set goals and objectives. This information then turns into the five-year Interpretive Action Plan.

Park Primary Interpretive Theme

The story of the 1864 violence at Fort Pillow is one of the most enduring and consequential stories of the Civil War.

Park Secondary Interpretive Themes

S.1. The story of Fort Pillow is one of the most significant events in the history of the US Colored Troops.

S.2. The Battle of 1864, also known as the Massacre of Fort Pillow, is a contested topic even today.

S.3. The Civil War caused significant hardships to soldiers' families and communities located around near the fort.

S.4. The hydrology of the Mississippi River creates many unique ecosystems within the park.

Existing Audiences

Emerging Audiences

Park Programming Inventory Data

Key Park Natural, Cultural, and Recreational Resources

Key Park Interpretive Infrastructure

1. 18 miles trails
2. River overlook
3. Butterfly garden
4. Suspension bridge
5. Picnic pavilion
6. Group camp
7. Museum
8. Campgrounds
9. Earthworks parking lot
10. Upper River batteries

Park Personnel Primarily Dedicated to Interpretation

Volunteer Hours and Numbers for Most Recent Fiscal Year

Park Interpretive Goals

Goal 1

Cultural Resource Interpretation: Visitors will learn and understand the history of Fort Pillow.

Theme(s) Supported: P, S1, S2

• 2-Year Objective: 5% increase in number of visitors going on guided hikes to the fort
• 5-Year Objective: 0% increase in number of visitors going on guided hikes to the fort

Resources Assigned to Goal: Office staff, Rangers, SIR

Strategy for Implementation: Uniformed staff will offer more scheduled "restored fortification" hikes and utilize the newly opened suspension bridge to encourage guests to participate in a shorter hike that would not otherwise visit the fort. Office staff will promote hikes to day use visitors and overnight guests. This is documented in PPI by using the keywords "guided hike" and "fort".

Goal 2

Cultural Resource Interpretation: Visitors will understand the life and hardships faced by soldiers' families and communities during the Civil War.

Theme(s) Supported: P, S3

• 2-Year Objective: 5% increase in the number of visitors at programs on hardships of the Civil War.
• 5-Year Objective: 10% increase in the number of visitors at programs on hardships of the Civil War.

Resources Assigned to Goal: Rangers, SIR, NPS AI grant, Office staff

Strategy for Implementation: Uniformed staff will offer more museum tours that focus on the hardships of the Civil War. The new NPS AI grant will provide non-personal interpretation when no uniformed staff are present, facilitated by office staff. This is documented through PPI by using the keyword "hardships".

Goal 3

Natural Resource Goal: Visitors will understand how Mississippi River hydrology creates a unique ecosystem at the park.

Theme(s) Supported: S4

• 2-Year Objective: 5% increase in program attendance on Mississippi River hydrology and ecology.
• 5-Year Objective: 10% increase in program attendance on Mississippi River hydrology and ecology.

Resources Assigned to Goal: Rangers, SIR, Office Staff

Strategy for Implementation: Uniformed staff will direct a segment of the staple programs of the park to discuss Mississippi River hydrology and how it affects the history of the park such as fort location. Staff will increase natural resources programs on the Blue Trail to the Chickasaw Bluff that highlights these topics. Office staff will promote these programs to visitors. This is documented through PPI by using the keyword "hydrology".

Goal 4

Education Goal: School groups will efficiently move through park provided programs.

Theme(s) Supported: P, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5

• 2-Year Objective: Establish baseline data and seek to have 80% success rate in moving groups efficiently through offered programs during scheduled school field trips.
• 5-Year Objective: Seek a 90% success rate in moving groups efficiently through offered programs during scheduled school field trips.

Resources Assigned to Goal: All uniformed staff, maintenance staff, and clerical staff, volunteers/living history presenters.

Strategy for Implementation: All park staff will coordinate with each other and living history presenters/volunteers to offer canon demo, rifle demo, museum tour, park video, and other secondary programs such as BOP and blacksmithing. Black powder demonstrators will receive more hands-on training for historic weapons demonstrations. Work to increase seasonal and volunteer personnel to cover school field trips, primarily in April and May by meeting the objectives of the Volunteer Goal in this document. Staff will work to reach younger children and smooth program operations by changing the program layout utilizing the new suspension bridge to broaden the experiences.

Goal 5

Volunteer Goal: Individuals will seek out new stewardship opportunities with organized groups.

Theme(s) Supported: P, S1, S2, S3, S4

• 2-Year Objective: 5% increase in individuals participating in organized group volunteering.
• 5-Year Objective: 10% increase in individuals participating in organized group volunteering.

Resources Assigned to Goal: Rangers, administrative staff

Strategy for Implementation: Reach out to organized groups such as churches, scouts, blacksmithing groups, and living history presenters to recruit for volunteer efforts and Friends Group.

Financial Performance Goals

Financial performance goals are a critical performance management tool of the Tennessee State Park System. While the financial performance of parks are managed more intently at the system level, individual parks are expected to recover a portion of their operating costs through the generation of earned revenues where appropriate and to contribute to the system goals. The majority of earned revenues at state parks are generated through facility usage (campsites, cabins, lodge rooms, rentable pavilions, etc.), the delivery of fee-based programs and services, equipment rental and usage, and retail sales. Other forms of revenue generation come from golf courses and restaurants where those amenities are present. That said, not all parks have the same ability to generate earned revenues because the availability of facilities or programs vary widely from one park to the next. The “recovery” of operational costs by earned revenues is referred to as “cost recovery”. Operating costs beyond those supported by earned revenues represents the extent to which state funding support operations at each park.

The table below represents the overall park cost recovery for this specific park for the most recent fiscal year and forecast estimates for the upcoming five years. These estimates are based on projection estimates for known and foreseeable costs and recovery figures.

Park Overall Cost Recovery Goals