Planning & Public Participation
Tennessee State Parks are forever and for everyone. Our work is guided by our vision, mission, and core values:
Vision
A thriving system of state parks that engages, enriches, and inspires all Tennesseans and our visitors.
Mission
To preserve, protect, and share Tennessee’s natural and cultural resources while providing safe, quality outdoor experiences.
Core Values
We believe there is inherent value in Tennessee’s natural environment. We believe that the observation and experience of natural beauty and processes in a setting removed from the hectic world of the day-to-day can uplift and re-create the human spirit.
We also believe there is value in physical reminders of our past. Without history, there is nothing upon which to base our understanding of the present or our dreams of the future.
Our natural and cultural resources provide context and continuity to our lives and help to make us whole. The intrinsic worth of these 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.
We share these resources and protect them for the benefit of current and future generations, investing in the development of future stewards to carry our work forward. We are committed to providing parks and programs that are safe, welcoming, and inviting to everyone.
With our vision and mission positioned first and foremost, we utilize a Comprehensive System Plan and park-specific Strategic Management Plans to manage our state parks.
Tennessee State Parks are forever and for everyone, and we thank you for your interest and support.