Burgess Falls State Park to Hold Anniversary Event May 16
Monday, May 14, 2012 | 11:49am
Celebration Will Help Commemorate Tennessee State Parks’ 75th Anniversary
SPARTA, Tenn. – The year 2012 marks Tennessee State Parks’ 75th Anniversary and to help commemorate this important milestone, Burgess Falls State Park will hold a special community event on May 16, beginning at 10 a.m.
“We are very excited to celebrate Tennessee State Parks’ 75th Anniversary this year,” said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau. “Burgess Falls State Park is certainly a fitting backdrop for one of the many statewide celebrations we will be holding throughout the year. It’s also a great opportunity to thank the Friends of Burgess Falls and the entire local community for all their hard work and support of this beautiful park.”
WHO:
Park Manager Bill Summers
Special Adviser to Tennessee State Parks Mike Stubbs
Local elected officials and community members
WHAT:
75th Anniversary Event at Burgess Falls State Park
There will be a series of short presentations, followed by light refreshments.
WHEN:
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
10 a.m. to noon Central Time
WHERE:
Burgess Falls State Park – Picnic Pavilion
4000 Burgess Falls Drive
Sparta, Tenn. 38583-8456
The Tennessee State Parks system was established through legislation in 1937, and those laws – with modifications and additions over the years – remain the framework for park operations today. As in most states, Tennessee began in cooperation with federal programs that instigated individual parks. Later, Depression era recovery programs gave a boost to the idea and the possibility of creating parks. The Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration worked on land conservation, but also delved further into the actual planning and construction of what would become the first of 53 Tennessee State Parks.
Today, there is a state park within an hour’s drive of just about anywhere in Tennessee. A 2009 University of Tennessee study highlights the positive economic impacts that state parks provide local communities, particularly in rural areas of the state. The study found that for every dollar spent on trips to Tennessee State Parks, an additional $1.11 of economic activity was generated throughout the state. When the direct and indirect expenditures were combined, the impact of Tennessee State Parks to the state’s economy was $1.5 billion in total industry output, supporting more than 18,600 jobs.
“Our vision statement highlights the inherent value of our natural environment, along with the value of the many physical reminders of Tennessee’s past,” added Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill. “Tennessee’s state parks have played such an important role in our history, and they play a critical role in our health and quality of life, which will benefit Tennesseans well into the future.”
Tennessee’s state parks deliver a rich fabric of natural landscapes, wild places, preserved ecologies, outdoor recreational opportunities and protected historic scenes and resources – together representing the heritage of Tennessee in the landscape.
Tennessee's 53 state parks and 82 state natural areas offer diverse natural, recreational and cultural experiences for individuals, families or business and professional groups. State park features range from pristine natural areas to 18-hole championship golf courses. For a free brochure about Tennessee State Parks, call toll free at 1-888-867-2757. For upcoming events in connection with the 75th Anniversary of Tennessee State Parks, please visit the state parks website at www.tnstateparks.com.
Located in Middle Tennessee on the eastern edge of Tennessee's Highland Rim adjacent to the Cumberland Plateau, Burgess Falls State Park is characterized by sheer bluffs, narrow ridges, rolling water and abundant mixed forest. The Falling Water River runs through the area, providing breathtaking scenery and numerous waterfalls. For directions or to learn more about Burgess Falls, please visit www.tnstateparks.com/BurgessFalls.
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