Recreation Resources Division (RRD)

The Division of Recreation Resources provides parks and recreation grant, planning and technical assistance services to local governments in Tennessee. The grant programs also support and protect the natural and cultural resources of our state parks and natural areas system and provide funding for community park development, trails development and land acquisition.  Our funding sources include the Land and Water Conservation Fund, Local Parks and Recreation Fund, the Recreational Trails Program, and the Tennessee Recreation Initiative Program.

RRD also houses the state’s Greenways and Trails program, which encourages Tennessee communities to save special green spaces. The Council on Greenways and Trails ensures the diversity and type of greenways and trail projects and facilitates input from various user groups across the state. Types of projects may include rails-to-trails, community greenway connections, river and water trails and natural surface trails.

The division develops the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), which is designed to be a framework for recreation planning at all levels of government. Action plans support successful partnerships, meaningful investment in infrastructure, and effective outreach and engagement that ensure an outstanding system of outdoor recreation for Tennesseans.

Technical assistance services may include workshops, studies and surveys, strategic planning processes, recreation delivery system assessments, facility and program planning and technical bulletins.

Parks & Recreation Technical Advisory Service

The Parks and Recreation Technical Advisory Service (PARTAS) section of the Recreation Resources Division is responsible for providing technical assistance to our public parks and recreation partners. The PARTAS section also ensures development of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). The SCORP is designed to be a framework for recreation planning at all levels of government.

Grants Administration

The Grants Administration section of the Recreation Resources Division is responsible for administering state and federal grant programs to local and state governments. To view information on the Public Recreation Grants, visit the Grants Administration page.

Greenways & Trails

The Greenways and Trails program encourages Tennessee communities to save special green spaces, to promote the volunteer spirit of Tennesseans and to preserve and conserve the natural and cultural resources that make each community in our state special. View conference information and published plans.

Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP)

TDEC is in the process of creating the TN 2030: Tennessee State Recreation Plan. This plan will outline the recreation, parks, and conservation priorities for the State of Tennessee for the next 10 years (2020-2030). A portion of this plan will be the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), which will serve as a guide for all public outdoor recreation in urban and rural neighborhoods, cities, and regions for our state.


TDEC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, or sex in the administration of its programs or activities, and does not intimidate or retaliate against any individual or group because they have exercised their rights to participate in or oppose actions protected/prohibited by 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7, or for the purpose of interfering with such rights. TDEC’s nondiscrimination coordinator, Chris Pianta, may be reached at TDEC.TitleVI@tn.gov.

If it is hard for you to read, speak, or understand English, please see our Language Assistance webpage for more information about our free language assistance services.


This Page Last Updated: December 7, 2022 at 7:39 PM