Paris Landing State Park to Hold Anniversary Event June 26

Celebration Will Help Commemorate Tennessee State Parks’ 75th Anniversary 

BUCHANAN, Tenn. – The year 2012 marks Tennessee State Parks’ 75th Anniversary, and to help commemorate this important milestone, Paris Landing State Park will hold a special gathering on Tuesday, June 26, beginning at 8 a.m.  The event will be held at the Paris Landing Inn and is open to the public.  

The event will coincide with the Henry County Chamber of Commerce’s regular “Coffee of the Month” meeting.  There will be a series of short presentations, including the history of the Tennessee State Parks system and a narration of Paris Landing’s own unique story. 

“We are very excited to celebrate Tennessee State Parks’ 75th Anniversary this year,” said Environment and Conservation Commissioner Bob Martineau.  “Paris Landing State Park serves as one of our most popular parks, offering a wide range of recreational opportunities and resort amenities.  The park’s event on Tuesday will also be an opportunity to thank Paris Landing’s many supporters in the local community.” 

WHO:

Paris Landing State Park Manager Joan Williams

Members of the Henry County Chamber of Commerce

The Friends of Paris Landing State Park

Local elected officials and community members

WHAT:            

75th Anniversary Event at Paris Landing State Park

There will be a series of short presentations, including the history of Paris Landing and the Tennessee State Parks system. 

WHEN:

Tuesday, June 26

8 a.m.

WHERE:         

The Inn at Paris Landing State Park

16055 Highway 79 North

Buchanan, Tenn., 38222-4109

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 54 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 54 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.

In commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of Tennessee State Parks, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation launched an innovative new microsite at www.tnstateparks75.com. Established in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the microsite displays Tennessee State Parks’ rich heritage and showcases the many outdoor adventures awaiting state park visitors through rich media and dynamic content.

Paris Landing State Park is an 841-acre park located on the western shore of the Tennessee River, which is dammed to form Kentucky Lake.  The park sits on the widest part of the lake and is the perfect location for all water sports such as fishing, boating, swimming and skiing. On land, there is plenty of activity with golfing, hiking, camping, or just relaxing and enjoying the natural beauty and wildlife. Be on the lookout for the deer, turkey, fox and coyote that roam the park. Eagles can be seen in the winter months.  For more information about Paris Landing State Park, please call (731) 641-4465 or visit www.tnstateparks.com/ParisLanding.

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