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Ranger Association News
Tennessee State Parks Voted Best in the
Nation
Every two years the National Recreation and
Park Association selects a state park system to receive the
prestigious Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and
Recreation Management, the highest honor a park system can
receive within the industry. Winners are determined by a
panel of parks and recreation professionals that evaluate
application materials with an emphasis on long-range
planning, resource management, citizen support systems,
environmental stewardship, program and professional
development and agency recognition.
This year the state parks of Georgia, Tennessee and Utah
were finalists for the Gold Medal Award. On September 26 at
the National Recreation and Park Association Congress in
Indianapolis, Tennessee State Parks was named Gold Medal
Winner for 2007. Tennessee had been a finalist for this
award previously, but had never won.
Some key accomplishments of Tennessee State Parks since 2003
identified by judges include:
-Reopening 14 parks that had been previously closed;
-Removing restrictive access fees from the 23 state parks
that had instituted them;
-Acquiring park adjacent properties with exceptional
conservation value;
-Partnering with the Nature Conservancy and
conservation-minded timber companies to protect 124,000
acres on the Northern Cumberland Plateau;
-Working with community organizations and other partners to
open the first Boundless Playground at a state park anywhere
in the country at Warriors'
Path State Park;
-Purchasing renewable "Green Power" in all state parks where
it's available.
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Commissioner Jim Fyke was at the NRPA Congress to receive
this recognition. “I am extremely proud of the parks
professionals and staff at Tennessee State Parks,” said
Commissioner Fyke when asked about the significance of the
award. "This tremendous accomplishment is a tribute to
their dedication, expertise and commitment. It took an
outstanding team effort – from the support of Governor Phil
Bredesen to every park ranger and staff member in the field
– to create the kind of progress that merits this honor.”
Tennessee State Parks is celebrating its 70th Anniversary in
2007 at each of its 54 locations and 77 State Natural Areas.
From the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the
Mississippi River in the west, Tennessee State Parks offer a
full range of recreational opportunities and natural
experiences for more than 25 million visitors annually.
“From our thousands of miles of hiking trails and unique
interpretative programs to our inns and world-class golf
courses, Tennessee State Parks amplify the beauty and
diversity of our state’s natural scenery,” said Assistant
Commissioner Mike Carlton. “I hope this national recognition
will encourage people across the United States to come and
enjoy our good nature at Tennessee State Parks.”
For more information on Tennessee State Parks visit
www.tnstateparks.com.
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