Johnsonville State Park Strategic Management Plan

Park Purpose, History and Description

Johnsonville State Historic Park is a Day-Use, Historical Park in New Johnsonville, Tennessee along the eastern bank of the Tennessee River (Kentucky Lake) within Humphreys County. Johnsonville State Historic Park has three stories of national level significance: 1. American Civil War (1861-1865) 2. Reconstruction (1865-1877) 3. New Deal (1933-1938). Johnsonville State Historic Park exists to commemorate: The Johnsonville Supply Depot (1864-1865), The Battle of Johnsonville (November 4-5, 1864), and The Town of Johnsonville (1864-1944). The commonly accepted date for the beginning of Johnsonville is 1864 when the Federal Supply Depot opened. The facility and surrounding area were collectively named “Johnsonville”. The commonly accepted date for the end of Johnsonville is 1944 when the Tennessee Valley Authority completed the work on Kentucky Dam and permanently flooded the Tennessee River at Johnsonville. Some of the residents relocated to an area south of Johnsonville and developed the community of “New Johnsonville”. There has long been interest in the site as a tourism destination/park. The economic prosperity of the 1920s brought recreational travelers to Johnsonville. According to the 1989 Johnsonville Times, Frank Bone recalled tourists arriving by steamboat to visit the Civil War sites of Johnsonville. In his words, “Excursion boats came from Paducah…crowds during the summer took their vacations on the boats. They went to see the old forts and other places of interest where the Battle of Johnsonville took place.” There is research that supports interest in the area being developed as the Trace Creek State Park for Negroes in the 1950s. The plan for this segregated park experience was eventually abandoned. Initial land acquisition occurred in 1969 when the State of Tennessee acquired 200 acres at the original Johnsonville town site near Denver, Tennessee. Tennessee State Parks established Johnsonville State Historic Area in 1971 as a satellite to Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park. Johnsonville State Historic Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. To inspire engagement with our park’s natural and cultural resources we preserve, protect, and share the stories of Johnsonville, TN, and the Link Farm State Archeological Area to provide safe, quality, outdoor experiences.

The Link Farm State Archeological Area is a satellite area of Johnsonville State Historic Park. This site represents a Mississippian period mound complex established at the confluence of the Duck and Buffalo Rivers in Humphreys County perhaps as early as AD1100. This mound complex consists of at least two large platform mounds, three conical mounds, and one loaf-shaped mound that encloses a central plaza measuring about 250 meters north-south and 150 meters east-west. Several small irregular-shape mounds surround this central complex. The Duck River Cache was initially discovered in December 1894 along a ridge south of mound complex. In March 1895, two stone statues (named Adam and Eve by the finders) were discovered several feet beneath the Duck River Cache deposit - Tennessee Division of Archeology. The initial land acquisition for this site was made in 1974 with additional acreage purchased in 2009. Link Farm State Archeological Area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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:

• Inspire stewardship of our natural and cultural resources through community action.
• Pursue partnerships with organizations such as Humphreys County Chamber of Commerce, Humphreys County Schools, and Humphreys County Arts Council to achieve aligned goals.
• Support the efforts of the Friends of Johnsonville State Historic Park as they help to preserve, protect, and share the natural and cultural resources.
• Serve as an economic driver within Humphreys County, TN.

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

Action Plan:

• Emphasize the natural and cultural resources of the park over recreational use. Host workshops and volunteer events promoting stewardship of natural and cultural resources.
• Pursue partnership opportunities organizations such as with National Park Service, Middle Tennessee State University, and Tennessee Historical Commission to identify and follow best practices regarding cultural resource management.
• Report resource management achievements.

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

Action Plan:

• Make use of GIS resources, ground penetrating radar and developing technologies to catalogue cultural and natural resources to make better data driven decisions regarding resource management.
• Pursue partnership opportunities with Tennessee Valley Authority and Middle Tennessee State University to access data relevant to 1939 Johnsonville..

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:

• Strive to shatter visitor expectations.
• Create meaningful connections between park visitors, the community and the park through Telling Full Stories representing diverse, equitable, inclusive, and just dialogues.
• Connect Park visitors to our park stories through technology to help them to experience our park stories and inspire them to become stewards of our stories.
• Gift shop operations serve as a thematic extension inviting visitors to take the next step to becoming more involved stewards.

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

Action Plan:

•  Present thematic programming that preserves, protects and shares the stories of Johnsonville, TN and the Link Farm State Archeological Area.
•  Park amenities including restrooms, picnic shelters, play areas and museum gift shop shall serve as an extension of the interpretive program conveying a sense of place in support of the interpretive program. Museum gift shop offerings shall support park interpretive themes.
•  Provide opportunities for programming-based park users to experience the resource based recreational offerings of the park.
• Pursue partnership opportunities with organizations such as the National Association for Interpretation, Tennessee Association of Museums, and National Park Service to achieve aligned goals.
• Acquire and display the historically accurate complement of artillery found at Johnsonville in November 1864 to include 6-10lbs Parrott, 4-Napoleon, and 2-20lbs Parrott static display pieces.
• Report interpretive programming achievements.

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

Action Plan:

•  Maintain the hiking trail system to meet or exceed Tennessee State Parks trail standards for contour, width, and blazing.
•  Provide opportunities for recreation-based park users engaged in birding, fishing, picnicking, kayaking, hiking, etc. to experience the cultural stories of the park.
•  Develop opportunities for all to access the Tennessee River and engage with it in a way that is meaningful to them.
• Pursue partnership opportunities with organizations such as the American Canoe Association, Tennessee Trails Association, and Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association to achieve aligned goals.

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:

•  Work with Tennessee State Parks regional maintenance team developing specifications on projects, requesting assistance and guidance on maintenance needs, attending pre-bid meetings, and being engaged with capital, deferred and 327.15 projects.
•  Conduct trail inspections and repairs including bridges, steps and overlook platforms, coordinating efforts with the Tennessee State Parks Trails and Vistas Coordinator.
•  Follow Go Green With Us Maintenance Guidelines to follow environmentally sound, best practices in the areas of Grounds Maintenance and Landscaping, Electrical, HVAC, Janitorial, Vehicles, Equipment, Building Maintenance, Plumbing, and Lighting.
•  Utilize maintenance reporting software system to develop seasonal maintenance schedules, document equipment maintenance, manage work orders and document work completed.

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

Action Plan:

•  Utilize maintenance reporting software system to develop seasonal maintenance schedules, document equipment maintenance, manage work orders and document work completed.
•  Improve physical access. Johnsonville State Historic Park currently has no Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant parking spots within the park, 5 ADA picnic tables and 1 ADA portable chemical toilet. The Visitor Center has 2 ADA parking spots on hard surface. Link Farm State Archeological Area has no ADA compliant amenities.
•  Develop trails focused “Soft Adventures” that hardly require any skills or experience incorporating universal access principles allowing greater accessibility to park natural and cultural resources.
•  Expand the role of augmented experiences for persons who are not physically able to access locations such as the Upper Redoubt of Fort Johnson or gravesites at the top of the hill of the African Methodist Cemetery.
• Offer Park visitors opportunity to participate in those experiences in the language familiar to them.

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

Action Plan:

•  Follow the Tennessee State Parks Design Guidelines to improve the visitor experience through standardized design principles that also allow each park to express its own unique story. These design solutions strive to create experiences that are welcoming and connect all visitors, regardless of background or need, to the natural and cultural resources of Tennessee.
•  Create quality first impressions welcoming and orienting the visitor to where they are and where they want to go with the least amount of effort.

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:

•  Engage in a variety of professional growth opportunities with emphasis upon leadership and employee engagement which will benefit overall park operations. These opportunities shall include, and are not limited to, conducting research, professional trainings and courses that result in professional certifications, attending and/or presenting at conferences, and maintaining professional certifications.
•  Provide opportunities for career pathways for employees through Individual Performance Plans emphasizing training and experiences to promote employee and operational success.

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

Action Plan:

•  While the intrinsic worth of our natural and cultural resources is beyond monetary consideration, we have a responsibility to the taxpayers of Tennessee to be fiscally responsible as we preserve, protect, and share the stories of Johnsonville State Historic Park and the Link Farm State Archeological Area.
•  Proactively manage the park budget reconciling accounts monthly to accurately track revenues, expenditures and identify variances within reports.
•  Use program value assessments and special use permit impacts to determine appropriate pricing structures.
•  Leverage support from partnerships, external funding sources, and volunteers to provide the best possible product and the lowest possible cost.

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.

• Nashville & Northwestern Railroad Terminus/Railroad Trail
• Cemeteries - African Methodist/Crockett/Johnsonville/Reagan/Link/Rogers
• Visitor Center
• Soldier Huts Living History Area
• Tennessee River Access
• Hiking Trails
• Link Farm State Archeological Area

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 Johnsonville 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 Johnsonville State Historic Park and provides the assessed condition of each as reviewed in May/2026.

Trail Inventory and Assessment

Johnsonville State Historic Park has 4 hiking trails that provide a stacked loop hiking trails experience. Established river access points at Trace Creek and the Tennessee River provide direct launching points canoes and kayaks on the Steamboat Trail. Since 2017, trail system sections that do not meet recognized trail building standards have been rerouted and sections that do not follow these same standards for contour have been closed. Trails currently meet or exceed Tennessee State Parks trail building standards and are reviewed regularly by the Tennessee State Parks Trails Team to identify potential areas for improvement. Benches are placed at trailheads, trail intersections and trail control points. Trail maps emphasize historical features relevant to park and are posted at trailheads and trail intersections. Due to its sensitive archeological nature, Link Farm State Archeological Area has no trails that are open for public use.

Future Trail Improvements

• Primary trailheads will be easily identified by an I shaped kiosk, vault toilet, water hydrant, trash/recycling container, recycled plastic bench or picnic table, pet waste bag station, and cigarette butt recycling container – TVA26a permit and Tennessee Division of Archeology approval received.
• Expand the hiking trail system with a 2.38-mile loop trail through Meredith Hollow - TVA26a permit received.
• Develop a loop canoe/kayak launch access point with parking at Trace Creek - TVA26a permit received.
• Complete the reroute of the Buttercup Trail near Stave Creek - TVA26a permit received.
• Expand road berms from the park entrance to the Maintenance Shop entrance to accommodate a solid surface loop greenway style walking path – TVA 26a permit received.
• Provide universal access trailheads and universal access trail experiences at the African Methodist Cemetery to the Wiley#1 Cemetery, Nashville & Northwestern Railroad Terminus/Railroad Trail, Upper Redoubt Earthworks Loop, a Pollinator Trail at the Visitor Center, and a solid surface loop greenway style walking path loop adjacent to a half mile paved road in the park.
• Connect the Meredith Hollow Trail to the Crockett Cemetery Trailhead including Nels-Anderson Cemetery as a control point - Tennessee Division of Archeology approval required.
• Develop a connecting trail from Meredith Hollow to the Railroad Trail adjacent to the Moore Homesite. The trail will cross Meredith Creek on the Railroad Trail by means of a Gator Bridge or comparable product – TVA26a permit required.
• Enhance interpretive experiences at trail control points that accent Civil War era earthworks, Town era building foundations, and scenic views with historical context.
• Conduct regular trail inspections noting condition of trails, blazing, and identifying hazards.
• Perform regular trail maintenance to maintain blazing and remove trail hazards including storm debris, encroaching vegetation, and dead trees within the fall zone of trail corridors.
• Maintain existing/future trail widths to accommodate a utility vehicle for trail maintenance and motorized wheelchairs where slope permits.

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 Johnsonville State Park have been identified as core services:

• Historical Integrity

The reason that Johnsonville State Historic Park exists is because of its cultural context and resources pertaining to the American Civil War. The 1989 Strategic Management Plan states that, “the park was established to preserve the historic significance of the Civil War earthworks and surrounding lands. The main features (of these lands) were the redoubts, rifle pits and the old town of Johnsonville”.

The intrinsic worth of these cultural resources is beyond monetary consideration. We so value these things that we intend to preserve and protect them, even in the face of whatever may be the fashion of the moment, so that all may enjoy them forever. – Tennessee State Parks Core Values. Unfortunately, since 1966 there has been interest in developing the recreational offerings of Johnsonville State Historic Park. This philosophy emphasized the recreational use of the park at the expense of the park’s cultural resources for which the site was established as a Tennessee State Park. These efforts neglected preservation and protection of cultural resources to such an extent that extensive effort is required today to restore these resources to a desirable condition. In some cases, this action caused permanent damage such as in the early days of park development when planners cut roads and trails through original sections of Civil War earthworks and railroad bed. Additions of restrooms, museums, playgrounds, concrete picnic tables, basketball courts and pavilions atop and adjacent to Civil War earthworks and within historically sensitive areas negatively impacted the cultural fabric of the park. These efforts culminated in the 1990s with proposed plans to turn Johnsonville into a State Resort Park complete with campgrounds, cabins, marina, and golf course. These plans were deemed not feasible and ultimately not pursued.

The 1993 Civil War Sites Advisory Commission Report on the Nation’s Civil War Battlefields identified Johnsonville (TN032) as a CLASS B - Major Engagement of Magnitude involving field armies or divisions of the armies which a commander achieved a strategic objective within the context of an ongoing campaign offensive. Major battles had a direct, observable impact on the direction, conduct, or outcome of the campaign. This report identified Johnsonville’s THREAT LEVEL as N/A. The Threat Level is Not Applicable because the battle site landscape was deemed lost. An Integrity Level – LOST site has, “changed beyond recognition,” meaning that a resident of the time returning to the site today presumably would not recognize his or her surroundings - CWSAC Technical Volume 1: Appendices, pages 201-209.

Since 2011 there has been renewed emphasis on returning the cultural resources of the park to their historic condition and preserving historic viewsheds. Nonetheless, staff regularly receive inquiries regarding the development of campgrounds, cabins, wedding venues, a marina, a restaurant, boat ramps, mountain bike trails, dog parks, disc golf courses, splashpads and traditional playgrounds within the park. While these amenities have the opportunity to increase visitation, park use and revenue, they are primarily recreational in nature and don’t thematically support the stories of Johnsonville. These examples of recreational focused opportunities also compete with staff time and conflict with the use of operational resources to preserve, protect, and share the stories of Johnsonville and the Link Farm State Archeological Area. Additional challenges to the pursuit of these types of improvements include disturbance of culturally sensitive areas, impact on historic and scenic viewsheds, impact upon the boundaries of the Johnsonville and Link Farm Historic Districts, flooding, return on investment for the infrastructure required to maintain the improvements, TVA26A permit authority and neighboring industrial sites which at times have unintentionally released chlorine gas clouds requiring the immediate evacuation of the park.

Only amenities that thematically support park operations as identified within this Strategic Management Plan shall be considered for approval and inclusion at Johnsonville State Historic Park or the Link Farm State Archeological Area.

• Safety, Security & Risk Management

We are committed to providing parks and programs that are safe and to provide safe, quality, outdoor experiences. There shall be emphasis placed on a quality safety & security program that includes commissioned law enforcement Park Rangers, Risk Management Program, adequate first aid and emergency response equipment, regular safety inspections, OSHA/TOSHA compliance, policy implementation and compliance, preventative maintenance program, and proactive action to address potential safety and security risks before they become threats to the public or the natural and cultural resources of the park.

• Stewardship of the Stories of Johnsonville

We serve as stewards of the stories of Johnsonville for the benefit of current and future generations. This role is pursued with emphasis upon continuing research focused upon the years 1864 – 1944 including oral history interviews and maintenance of a repository for records and material culture. Serving as stewards of the stories of Johnsonville we emphasize the provenance of artifacts through education and enforcement. These actions area taken to address relic hunting and to guide well-meaning park visitors who believe that by collecting artifacts and bringing them to the park office that they are “helping” the park.

• Thematic Interpretation

Our natural and cultural resources provide context and continuity to our lives and help to make us whole. Freeman Tilden’s 5th Interpretive Principle states, “Interpretation should aim to present a whole rather than a part and must address itself to the whole man rather than any phase”. In support of these concepts of addressing the whole person, interpretive programming efforts shall support the stated interpretive themes of the Johnsonville State Historic Park and the Link Farm State Archeological Area telling full stories of these sites through multi-vocality.

• Thematic Park Amenities

Park amenities such as restrooms, vault toilets, picnic shelters and even outdoor education areas have potential to help preserve, protect, and share our natural and cultural resources so long as they are located on previously disturbed soil or are in areas identified by the Tennessee Valley Authority and Tennessee Division of Archeology to be without natural or cultural significance. Beyond meeting basic physiological and sociological human needs these amenities must thematically support the stories of the site in scope and structure. A good example of this process is that the Johnsonville State Historic Park Visitor Center is built to mimic an early 20th century train station.

Johnsonville State Historic Park currently has 3 portable chemical toilets and 12 uncovered picnic tables to offer as amenities for our park visitors. Only 1 of the portable chemical toilets is ADA accessible and 5 of the picnic tables are ADA accessible. The portable toilets impact the historic viewsheds of the park. Our visitors consider facilities such as play areas, restrooms, and picnic pavilions to be basic, universally accepted amenities that should characterize Tennessee State Parks. Our peers such as Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park and even municipal parks in Waverly, New Johnsonville, and McEwen offer these facilities, so we consider their installation to be a vital component of increasing and maintaining visitation. Per the Maslow Hierarchy of Needs, human beings have basic safety and physiological needs that must be met before they are open to engaging in an interpretive educational experience. To preserve and protect our natural and cultural resources, these resources must be shared to continue that preservation and protection for perpetuity. The addition of basic visitor amenities supports this goal.

However, why should these basic amenities be basic? Author and motivational speaker Dan Heath says, “Great experiences hinge on peak moments”. What if those moments included a park’s basic amenities? What if we provided basic amenities in such an innovative and thematic way that made them WOW moments? Imagine ADA parking and board/batten vault toilet at the Old Railway Trailhead. Imagine an area of the park without historical significance, away from view-sheds with 4 ADA, family style restroom stalls with low-flow flush toilets and baby changing trays. Nearby here is a picnic shelter that looks like an old sawmill and a small inclusive play area with an ADA railroad turntable and pathway that looks like railroad track leading to a Civil War train play piece and a swing set whose frame mimics a Poplar tree in amongst some rocks that are cast concrete climbers. Beyond basic, but WOW….

Efforts to date regarding installation of thematic amenities:

• Park Restroom – A 4 stall, family style, restroom is planned for installation within the park. The exterior will be a board and batten style mimicking the 1864 style of structures found at Johnsonville. Project and site location approved by State Building Commission, Tennessee Valley Authority, and Tennessee Division of Archeology. Funding secured through the State of Tennessee.
• Vault Toilets – Vault toilets are planned to replace portable chemical toilets at trailhead locations separate from the park restroom project. Vault toilets are commonly used for this purpose at National Parks and National Forests. Exterior to be of a board and batten style similar the Park Restroom. Project and site locations approved by Tennessee Valley Authority and Tennessee Division of Archeology. State Building Commission review pending. Funding secured through Federal Recreational and Trails Program Grant and the State of Tennessee.
• Picnic Shelter 1 – A picnic shelter is planned for installation adjacent to the Park Restroom. Design will follow State Building Commission guidelines. Project and site location approved by State Building Commission, Tennessee Valley Authority, and Tennessee Division of Archeology. Funding secured through the State of Tennessee. No funding secured.
• Picnic Shelter 2 – A picnic shelter is desired for installation adjacent to the Visitor Center. Design will follow State Building Commission guidelines. Project design approved by State Building Commission. Project location approved by Tennessee Division of Archeology. State Building Commission approval required. Project site exempt from TVA 26A permit review. No funding secured.
• Outdoor Educational Area – An Outdoor Education Area is desired for installation adjacent to the Park Restroom/Picnic Shelter 1 site. Design will thematically support the stories of Johnsonville. A comparable project is the Landscape Structures Turkey Thicket Recreation Area or Landscape Structures AdventureScape Climbers at Laurel Hill State Park. Project and site location have received TVA 26A permit approval and permit is on file. Approval from State Building Commission and Tennessee Division of Archeology required. Grant funding sought in 2018.

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 Johnsonville State Park have been identified as important services:

• Interpretive Experiences

Present interpretive programming through personal nonpersonal experiences that include, and is not limited to public presentations, living history demonstrations, guided tours, educational programs, Junior Ranger programs, museum displays, temporary exhibits, wayside exhibits, telling full stories through multi-vocality and augmented reality experiences. These interpretive experiences shall be presented for free based upon their intrinsic value or for a fee as value added experiences.

• Environmental Action

Support the Tennessee State Parks Go Green With Us sustainability initiative to raise public awareness and offer opportunities to preserve, protect and share our natural and cultural resources through action. Examples of these efforts include resource based interpretive programming, community partnerships, and hosting volunteer workdays. The goal of these efforts is to sustainably pursue a professionally managed environment for the plants and animals that call our park – Home.

• Community Engagement

Serve the customers’ needs while they are in the park or engaging with the park through internal/external customer service, community outreach, partnerships, marketing, social media, gift shop operations, and any other efforts that promote community engagement.

• Quality First Impressions

Convey a positive first impression for arriving visitors. This standard shall include inviting and well-maintained visitor contact stations, wayfinding signage, trailheads, and other points of entry with adequate lighting and well-kept grounds that are free of litter.

• Quality Trail Experiences

Provide quality trail experiences with well-maintained trailheads, adequate blazing, and trail tread that meets or exceeds standards set by the Tennessee State Parks Trails and Vistas Administrator.

• Archeological Resource Access

Strengthen the quality and access to Tennessee’s archeological resources in partnership with the Tennessee Division of Archeology.

• Volunteer Services

Invest in the development of future stewards to carry our work forward. Volunteers such as the Johnsonville Garrison, XXIII Corps, Break Away Groups, Friends of Johnsonville State Historic Park, and individual volunteers help to preserve, protect, and share the natural and cultural resources of Johnsonville State Historic Park and the Link Farm State Archeological Area. These volunteers best support the park when led by park staff which requires staff time for planning, volunteer training, coordination of volunteer projects, and reporting of volunteer events.

• Retail to Retell

Retail operations will help to retell the stories of our park and provide quality remembrances for park visitors to retell to others that they enjoyed a quality experience at our park. The museum gift shop shall serve as an extension of the interpretive program. High quality, thematic items will be prioritized for sale in the gift shop which relate to and support programming efforts.

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 Johnsonville State Park have been identified as visitor supported services:

• Battle of Johnsonville Anniversary Event

Annually the park hosts a two-day anniversary event to commemorate the November 1864 Battle of Johnsonville. This event includes a school day and day for the public to attend and engage with living history presenters who provide multi-vocality by telling the story of the Battle of Johnsonville from different perspectives. The operational capacity to host this scale of event as presented since 2014 is only possible with funding secured from grants and sponsorships.

• Partnership

Maintain productive partnerships with community organizations and professional associations through attendance at meetings and participation in community or regional events. Maintaining these relationships with community and professional partners supports core, important or visitor supported services.

• Fundraising

Leverage the park’s operational budget through donations, sponsorships, and grants. Return on investment for staff time required shall be a factor when pursuing fundraising efforts. Fundraising efforts have potential to support core, important, or visitor supported services; however, they shall be considered non-essential. Per policy, pre-approval by Parks Leadership is required before pursuing grant opportunities such as the Recreational Trails Program, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Personnel / Staffing Review

Personnel and staffing at Johnsonville State Historic Park represent the largest area of budgetary expense at an average of 51% of the total operating budget each year for the last three complete years, which is LESS 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

Tennessee State Parks Guest Surveys

Review Push - Online Review Management for Businesses and Brands

Professional Development and Training

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

• National Association for Interpretation – National & Regional Interpretative Workshops
• National Association for Interpretation – Certified Interpretive Guide
• Tennessee State Library & Archives – Tennessee Archives Institute
• National Park Service – Historic Weapons Certification Course
• Basic Chainsaw Operations and Maintenance
• Emergency Medical Responder
• State Park Leadership School
• Trail Master Certification
• Swift Water Rescue
• Green Leadership

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

• Improved Wayfinding within the Park
• Install Family Restroom and a Picnic Shelter at the former site of a parking lot that was initially identified as “Picnic Area No. 1” in the Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park Master Plan of 1966 and the Strategic Management Plan of 1989.

Operations and Staffing

• Grow membership of Friends of Johnsonville State Historic Park
• Expand full-time staff by 1 – Park Ranger 2 position

Customer Service / Visitor Experience

• Grow community partnership opportunities to support park operations
• Place interpretive wayside exhibits at the Cemetery Trailhead sharing the stories of the African Methodist, Wiley #1, Sutton and Reagon Cemeteries as well as the Colored School of Johnsonville.

Mid Term Recommendations (2-5 years)

Site and Facilities

• Connect the Visitor Center to the public sewer system of the City of New Johnsonville.
• Work with Humphreys County Leadership to transfer the authority of park roads from Humphreys County to Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Operations and Staffing

• Expand full time staff by 1 - Maintenance and 1 - Interpretive Specialist positions.
• Install 3 – Vault Toilets at park trailheads.

Customer Service / Visitor Experience

• Establish Universal Access Trailheads at Crockett Cemetery, African Methodist Cemetery and Lakefront area of the park.
• Update the Museum Exhibit following the 2026 Museum Design Plan.

Long Term Recommendations (5+ years)

Site and Facilities

• Pave all park roads, parking areas and eliminate dead end roads through established loop features.
• Install an outdoor educational area in the park adjacent to the Family Restroom and Picnic Shelter.

Operations and Staffing

• Send a representative to attend the State Park Leadership School.

• Grow operational capacity to provide consistently offered visitor experiences at Link Farm State Archeological Area.

Customer Service / Visitor Experience

• Recreate the 1864 appearance of the Upper & Lower Redoubts of Fort Johnson.
• Identify each location of a 1939 Johnsonville Structure with a marker stating the name of the last known owner, a photograph of the structure (if available), a technological link to experience the site in a non-traditional way and the story of the site shared within its context of the Town of Johnsonville.

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 2026 Update resource management plan supersedes the resource management plans of 2023, 2021, 2016, 1989, and 1966. The natural and cultural resource management goals identified within the plan The natural and cultural resource management goals identified within the 2023 plan provide guidance for action over a 10-year period to preserve, protect and share the natural and cultural resources of Johnsonville State Historic Park and the Link Farm State Archeological Area.

Johnsonville State Historic Park is under the management authority of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. 830 acres of the park is owned by the State of Tennessee. The remaining acreage of the park is owned by the Tennessee Valley Authority. This acreage within the mapped boundary of the park is managed by Tennessee State Parks through a recreational use agreement and is subject to 26A Permit Authority. There are no private in-holdings within the park boundary. Link Farm State Archeological Area is also under the management authority of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. All acreage of the archeological area is owned by the State of Tennessee. The archeological area is managed in partnership with the Tennessee Division of Archeology. Management efforts of natural and cultural resources actions support the Tennessee State Parks Go Green With Us sustainability initiative. This comprehensive set of guidelines was developed and released in 2017 to steer parks on the path of sustainability in all park operations.

The contents of this resource management plan are as follows:

Resource Management Objectives

Resource Inventory and Assessment

Management Strategies

Land Management Strategies

Supplemental Information

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.

Johnsonville State Historic Park Resource Management Strategies

A. Work with research partners to expand the boundary of the Johnsonville Historic District to include the Upper & Lower Redoubts of Fort Johnson, all earthworks, the supply depot remains, railroad bed & turn table, and blockhouse site.

B. Install appropriate signage identifying entrance to the Johnsonville Historic District – Listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior.

C. Restore all cemeteries within the park boundaries. This will include ground penetrating radar surveys of the cemeteries, the public identification of unmarked gravesites with permanent, stone markers and the restoration of all existing historic grave markers.

D. In support of National Park Service cemetery management guidelines D2 Biological Solution shall be the only cleaner approved for use on headstones.

E. New stone markers placed in park cemeteries for known persons shall be granite and consistent with the design of existing historic gravestones found within the boundaries of the park.

F. New stone markers placed in park cemeteries for unknown persons shall be simple markers such as granite posts or consistent with the design of markers used for Wiley #1 Cemetery.

G. In support of TDEC Policy Directive 104, the installation of monuments such as statues, buildings, or any other permanent structures built to honor and remember a famous person, important event, or a specific period in history shall require the written approval of the Director of Tennessee State Parks, the Director of the Tennessee Division of Archeology, the Chairman of the Tennessee State Building Commission, the Executive Director of the Tennessee Historical Commission, the Office of the State Architect, demonstrate the required Tennessee Division of Archeology Phase 1 Investigation, Stamped Plans approved by the State Building Commission, Tennessee Historical Commission Review, Tennessee Valley Authority 26A Permit, and be installed by a licensed contractor in possession of a Certificate of Insurance that meets or exceeds the requirements of the State of Tennessee. All costs associated with project approvals, design, construction, and/or installation of monuments shall be covered entirely by non-state funds.

H. Conduct research on the history of Johnsonville with emphasis upon the years 1863-1944 This will include the identification of historic names of streets, family homesteads and businesses. Create research files on Johnsonville structures and their former owners as well as people buried in Johnsonville cemeteries.

I. Conduct oral history interviews and host opportunities for the public to share remembrances of Johnsonville.

J. Create and display a historically accurate map of the town of Johnsonville based upon the Tennessee Valley Authority 1939 Land Acquisition Map.

K. The Upper and Lower Redoubts of Fort Johnson and all Civil War Earthworks shall meet or exceed the criteria of Good Condition based upon the National Park Service Sustainable Military Earthwork Management Guide.

L. Restore the Nashville and Northwestern Military Railroad bed and railroad turntable within park boundaries. Repair all erosion damage from flooding and reinforce railroad base against damage from future flooding (Strategy identified in 1989 Strategic Management Plan).

M. Restore the Upper and Lower Redoubts of Fort Johnson to their Civil War appearance repairing any soil breeches that may facilitate erosion, mounting reproduction cannons at embrasures, and redefining the original opening with historically accurate entrance gates.

N. Develop and construct a true to scale section of a reproduction Civil War earthwork.

O. Reconstruct cutaway and missing sections of original rifle pits. This will include identification of proper soil and mapping the identification of newly restored sections to the earthworks.

P. With support from GIS mapping incorporating the Tennessee Valley Authority 1939 Land Acquisition Maps, identify foundation sites of Johnsonville structures, public utility sites, or roads. This will include public identification of structure sites and preservation of foundation remains.

Q. Partner with the National Park Service Submerged Resources Center to pursue underwater surveys of the Johnsonville Supply Depot wharf, transport vessels, and gunboat wrecks in the Tennessee River.

R. With support from GIS mapping incorporating the Tennessee Valley Authority 1939 Land Acquisition Maps identify and seal all open wells and cisterns.

S. Conduct annual inventories of park artifacts and art collections.

T. In support of the Tennessee State Parks Artifact Management and Museum Collections Policy, implement a collections management system documenting the location and provenance of all artifacts.

U. Pursue conservation of the J.W. Cheeseman artifacts.

V. Complete conservation, scanning, and transcription of the Waggoner Letter Collection.

W. Provide opportunities for public education with emphasis to not disturb artifacts from their discovered locations.

X. Maintain and improve the historic and scenic viewsheds along the Tennessee River, Trace Creek, and the Johnsonville Historic District.

Y. Partner with the Tennessee Valley Authority to address erosion control management along miles 96 & 97 of the eastern bank of the Tennessee River.

Z. Remove trees to open up the viewshed of the Reagon Cemetery and African American Church returning the site to its 1939 appearance as documented in aerial photographs.

AA. The 2024 Cultural Resource Vegetation Management Plan shall identify actions for the removal of all non-native/non-desirable plants resulting in sustainable, native grass stands.

BB. Manually (by cutting vegetation at ground level) and through the selective use of herbicides remove all non-native/non-desirable plants and hazard trees from the Upper and Lower Redoubts of Fort Johnson, Civil War Earthworks, all cemeteries, and from Johnsonville Town Era foundation sites.

CC. Remove trees in boundary, trail, activity, transportation corridor (25 feet from center line), parking or developed zones that are of poor architecture, damaged, or dead that could pose a threat to park visitors and the preservation of cultural resources.

DD. Improve native grass stands on the Upper and Lower Redoubts of Fort Johnson, Civil War era earthworks, railroad bed, and railroad turntable. Preferred method for seeding will be hydroseeding with native grass seed.

EE. In compliance with policy, pursue the use of prescribed fire to improve native grass stands and maintain open lands areas.

FF. Target Chinese Privet, Tree of Heaven, Jacob’s Staff, Japanese Honeysuckle, Shiso, Lespedeza, Bradford Pear, Poison Hemlock, and Johnson Grass as priority invasive/non-native plants for removal.

GG. Monitor and maintain existing stands of cultivated plants species such as Daffodil, Yucca, and Canna Lilly that are culturally significant because of their connection to the town era history of Johnsonville.

HH. Develop and maintain native plant/wildflower areas for the benefit of native pollinators and migratory species while reducing the acreage that requires mowing.

II. Annually obtain at least Silver level recognition through the Tennessee State Parks Go Green With Us sustainability initiative.

JJ. Educate Park visitors on native plants and how invasive species impact Tennessee ecosystems. This will be accomplished through personal and nonpersonal interpretation.

KK. Raise public awareness and offer opportunities for positive action on the impacts of litter and pollution through interpretive programming efforts, partnerships with environmentally focused organizations and hosting volunteer workdays to collect litter.

LL. Expand recycling opportunities collecting materials not commonly recycled, identify operational efforts for waste reduction, and improve environmental outcomes throughout Humphreys County, TN.

MM. Serve as the river stewards for the eastern banks of mile markers 96 & 97 of the Tennessee River hosting shoreline cleanups to remove all known trash from the Tennessee River and adjacent tributaries.

NN. Support reviews for sensitive, threatened, or endangered flora and fauna species. Based upon data provided by the Tennessee Division of Natural Areas, the most recent reported observations of sensitive, threatened, or endangered flora or fauna species within the boundaries of Johnsonville State Historic Park were of pine snake and western pygmy rattlesnake in 1980.

OO. Promote stewardship of natural and cultural resources through action hosting volunteer opportunities in support of resource management goals.

PP. Conduct annual boundary patrols to maintain TDEC boundary and no hunting/no trespassing markers (Strategy identified in 1989 Strategic Management Plan).

QQ. Actively seek to encourage relationships with community and regional contacts that will develop into partnerships to support park operations and the goals of the partnering operations.

Link Farm State Archeological Area Resource Management Strategies

A. In order to protect and preserve this unique resource, access is prohibited without permission from the Tennessee Division of Archaeology.

B. All resource management improvements or ground disturbing activities are subject to approval and monitoring by the Tennessee Division of Archeology.

C. The Tennessee Division of Archeology shall serve as primary point of contact on all matters involving indigenous tribes or tribal groups.

D. Upon approval from the State Building Commission, demolish the Link Farm House as it is beyond restoration. Leave the chimneys and porch as a representative interpretive display. Mark the footprint of the house foundation.

E. Restore the tobacco weigh shed to its 20th century condition following a scope of work approved by the Tennessee Historical Commission.

F. Maintain the existing corn silos as structures for wildlife such as barn owls.

G. Support barn owl habitat by installing barn owl nesting boxes along field perimeters outside of the mound complex area. The barn owl was listed as in Need of Management in Tennessee in 1976 – Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

H. Mark and maintain the building footprints of all previously removed structures such as the Link Barn and Link Chicken House.

I. Seal all open wells and cisterns.

J. Restore the Mound Complex Plaza to its approximate 1100AD condition by filling in the cattle pond with sterile soil. This will require a geotextile fabric liner, taking GPS points on the horizontal extent of the pond, at the bottom of pond at its approximate center point and all four sides on cardinal directions to get elevations.

K. Follow a mowing plan to maintain grass of the mounds and mound complex plaza to a height of less than 4 inches between the months of April and October.

L. Sterile soil/rock/chert material (not obtained from Link Farm State Archeological Area nor another archaeological site) shall be used for all projects at Link Farm State Archeological Area. Any material brought into Link Farm State Archeological Area and dumped for fill or other needs, shall be recorded with GPS points and described according to the type of material, volume, purpose, and before/after photos.

M. Restore the Link and Rogers cemeteries. This will include ground penetrating radar surveys of the cemeteries, the public identification of unmarked gravesites with permanent, stone markers and the restoration of all existing historic grave markers.

N. In support of National Park Service cemetery management guidelines D2 Biological Solution shall be the only cleaner approved for use on headstones.

O. Conduct boundary patrols and site visits to maintain TDEC boundary, no hunting/no trespassing markers, and compliance with Tennessee’s archaeological laws.

P. Replace all perimeter fencing east of Forks of the River Road as well as all gates.

Q. Install chain link fence interpretive screen netting along all fence west of Forks of the River Road with a skin to mimic a wooden palisade thematic to a Mississippian Mound Complex. Final design shall require approval of the Director of Tennessee Division of Archeology and the Chief of Interpretation and Programming.

R. Pursue a Memorandum of Understanding with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency regarding aligned goals for law enforcement at Link Farm State Archeological Area.

S. Actively seek to encourage relationships with community and regional contacts that will develop into partnerships to support park operations and the aligned goals of the partnering operations.

T. Conduct research on the Link Family, the history of the Link property, and expand research base of Mississippian culture.

U. Maintain a solid surface driving path from the Forks of the River Road Gate to the Administrative Complex.

V. Maintain a solid surface driving path from the Forks of the River Road Gate to the Duck River.

W. Maintain a perimeter path along fences and tree line for patrol and fire management.

X. Maintain a walking path loop from the Mound Complex to the Silos to the Link Cemetery to the Administrative Complex.

Y. Re-establish water and electric service at the Administrative Complex.

Z. Develop a Cultural Resource Vegetation Management Plan for Link Farm State Archeological Area identifying actions for the removal of all non-native/non-desirable plants resulting in sustainable, native grass stands.

AA. Maintain all existing open land areas. Follow a mowing plan beginning in June and mowing all open areas and fencelines until frost preventing non-native/non-desirable plants from going to seed. Manage the wood line to prevent encroaching tree limbs, seedlings, and establishment of woody stemmed plants such as locust.

BB. Manually (by cutting vegetation at ground level) and through the selective use of herbicides remove all non-native/non-desirable plants. Chinese Privet, Tree of Heaven, Jacob’s Staff, Bradford Pear, Japanese Honeysuckle, Shiso, Lespedeza and Johnson Grass are priority invasive/non-native plants for removal.

CC. Remove trees in boundary, trail, activity, transportation corridor (25 feet from center line), parking or developed zones that are of poor architecture, damaged, or dead that could pose a threat to park visitors and the preservation of cultural resources.

DD. In compliance with policy, pursue the use of prescribed fire to improve native grass stands and maintain open lands areas.

EE. Develop and maintain native plant/wildflower areas for the benefit of native pollinators and migratory species while reducing the acreage that requires mowing.

FF. Maintain and improve the historic and scenic viewsheds along the Duck River and the Link Farm State Archeological Area Historic District.

GG. Support actions to engage in Dark Sky viewing opportunities.

HH. Support reviews for sensitive, threatened, or endangered flora and fauna species. Based upon data provided by the Tennessee Division of Natural Areas, there have been no reported observations of sensitive, threatened, or endangered flora or fauna species within the boundaries of Link Farm State Archeological Area.

II. Promote stewardship of natural and cultural resources through action hosting volunteer opportunities in support of resource management goals.

JJ. Conduct annual boundary patrols to maintain TDEC boundary and no hunting/no trespassing markers (Strategy identified in 1989 Strategic Management Plan).

KK. Actively seek to encourage relationships with community and regional contacts that will develop into partnerships to support park operations and the goals of the partnering operations.

LL. In support of TDEC Policy Directive 104, the installation of monuments such as statues, buildings, or any other permanent structures built to honor and remember a famous person, important event, or a specific period in history shall require the written approval of the Director of Tennessee State Parks, the Director of the Tennessee Division of Archeology, the Chairman of the Tennessee State Building Commission, the Executive Director of the Tennessee Historical Commission, the Office of the State Architect, demonstrate the required Tennessee Division of Archeology Phase 1 Investigation, Stamped Plans approved by the State Building Commission, Tennessee Historical Commission Review, Tennessee Valley Authority 26A Permit, and be installed by a licensed contractor in possession of a Certificate of Insurance that meets or exceeds the requirements of the State of Tennessee. All costs associated with project approvals, design, construction, and/or installation of monuments shall be covered entirely by non-state funds.

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

Any additional information pertinent to the resource management strategies of the park can be featured here.

• Tennessee Valley Authority Section 26a Regulations
• Tennessee Valley Authority Reservoir Land Management Plans
• National Park Service National Register of Historic Places
• National Park Service Sustainable Military Earthwork Management Guide
• National Park Service Submerged Resources Center
• USDA Forest Service Prescribed Fire
• Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Tennessee State Parks Rules and Regulations
• Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Tennessee State Parks Policies
• Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Pathways to Trail Building
• Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Go Green With Us
• Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
• Tennessee State Parks Hazardous Tree Management Plan Johnsonville State Historic Park 2019
• Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Policy Directive 142 Hazardous Tree Policy
• Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Tennessee State Parks Design Guideline
• Creating Places for Adventures and Experiences
• Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
• Laws regarding the Tennessee Division of Archeology and archeology in Tennessee
• Tennessee Historical Commission, Tennessee Historic Cemetery Preservation Program

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 Tennessee River brought life and death to Johnsonville.

Park Secondary Interpretive Themes

S.1. Rivers, Railways, and Raiders supply our Civil War stories.

S.2. Reconstruction and TVA bookend our Town Era stories.

S.3. Once human habitat now serves as a scenic home for our plants and wildlife.

S.4. Three rivers reflect our stories of Mississippian mounds and the Trail of Tears.

S.5. Our stories inspire stewardship through action.

Existing Audiences

Emerging Audiences

Park Programming Inventory Data

Key Park Natural, Cultural, and Recreational Resources

Key Park Interpretive Infrastructure

1. Visitor center/museum/theater
2. Interpretive wayside exhibits
3. Trailhead kiosks featuring current and historic maps
4. Railroad terminus at the Tennessee River
5. Paddle craft launches at Trace Creek & Tennessee River
6. Reproduction soldier huts
7. Upper and lower redoubt of Fort Johnson & Earthworks
8. Cemeteries (15)
9. Home site locations from 1930s Johnsonville
10. Link Farm State Archaeological Area

Park Personnel Primarily Dedicated to Interpretation

Volunteer Hours and Numbers for Most Recent Fiscal Year

Park Interpretive Goals

Goal 1

Cultural Resource Goal: Visitors will engage with cultural resources at Johnsonville State Historic Park.

Theme(s) Supported: P, S1-S5

• 2-Year Objective: Increase historic programming perspectives by 5%
• 5-Year Objective: Increase opportunities for historical/cultural non-personal interpretation by 25%

Resources Assigned to Goal: Park Manager will delegate action in alignment with the park's Strategic Management Plan, Interpretive Action Plan and Fiscal Year Spending Plan, and historic infrastructure.

Strategy for Implementation:

A. Create a new museum exhibit plan.

B. Incorporate social media to accent cultural resources.

C. Install new museum exhibit following the museum exhibit plan.

D. Pursue partnerships that share cultural resource aligned goals.

E. Add QR codes or other technology to signs to track engagement.

F. Continue to improve markers and wayfinding for cultural resources.

G. Improve cultural resource site mapping through ARC-GIS Field Maps.

H. Add new perspectives to improve multivocality through telling fuller stories.

I. Develop a written plan for the management of artifacts and primary sources.

J. Provide opportunities for additional learning and through the gift shop.

K. Install amenities such as restrooms, picnic shelters, and a play area that serve as a thematic extension of the park story.

Goal 2

Natural Resource Goal: Visitors will become active stewards of the park's natural resources.

Theme(s) Supported: P, S1-S5

• 2-Year Objective: Increase engagement opportunities with natural resource programming by 5%
• 5-Year Objective: Increase visitor engagement with those new natural resource opportunities by 10%

Resources Assigned to Goal: Park Manager will delegate action in alignment with the park's Strategic Management Plan, Interpretive Action Plan and Fiscal Year Spending Plan, and natural and recreational resources.

Strategy for Implementation:

A. Incorporate use of social media to accent natural resources.

B. Create a species checklist for the Visitor Center pollinator garden.

C. Create a species checklist for Link Farm State Archaeological Area.

D. Develop interpretive wayside panels for the Visitor Center pollinator garden.

Goal 3

Recreation Skill Development: Visitors will practice safe and minimal impact recreation.

Theme(s) Supported: P, S1-S5

• 2-Year Objective: Increase recreation program opportunities by 5%
• 5-Year Objective: Increase recreation program opportunities by 10%

Resources Assigned to Goal: Park Manager will delegate action in alignment with the park's Strategic Management Plan, Interpretive Action Plan and Fiscal Year Spending Plan, and natural and recreational resources.

Strategy for Implementation:

A. Promote resource immersion.

B. Create/utilize recreation skills boxes.

C. Create/offer 101 level staff led recreational programs.

D. Offer Ranger led paddling experiences to historic sites that today may only be accessed by water.

Goal 4

Education Goal: Teachers will engage with natural and cultural resources at Johnsonville State Historic Park.

Theme(s) Supported: P, S1-S5

• 2-Year Objective: Increase engagement with program request form by 3%
• 5-Year Objective: Increase engagement with program request form by 5%

Resources Assigned to Goal: Park Manager will delegate action in alignment with the park's Strategic Management Plan, Interpretive Action Plan and Fiscal Year Spending Plan, and cultural, natural, and recreational resources.

Strategy for Implementation:

A. Develop an educational programming menu.

B. Develop virtual offerings of educational programming.

C. Continue to build educator networks through opportunities like county in-services.

D. Focus on fourth through eighth grades following best aligned curriculum standards.

Goal 5

Volunteer Goal: Volunteers will be stewards of natural and cultural resources at Johnsonville State Historic Park.

Theme(s) Supported: P, S1-S5

• 2-Year Objective: Increase partnerships with outside organizations by 3%
• 5-Year Objective: Increase partnerships with outside organizations by 5%

Resources Assigned to Goal: Park Manager will delegate action in alignment with the park's Strategic Management Plan, Interpretive Action Plan and Fiscal Year Spending Plan, and cultural, natural, and recreational resources.

Strategy for Implementation:

A. Develop a volunteer program menu.

B. Develop partnerships with youth/school groups.

C. Seek win-win aligned goals with partners in conservation.

D. Develop partnerships with universities, faith-based groups, and businesses.

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