by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

The new mission statement of the Friends of the South Cumberland State Parks speaks to why the nonprofit exists: “To protect, improve, and expand the parks of the South Cumberland Plateau and to educate and inspire others to join in that work.” How to make the goals enshrined in that mission statement a reality? Friends’ Executive Director Ned Murray has a simple solution. “I know you think I’m going to say, ‘write a check.’ I’m not. Get into the parks. I know you take friends into the parks when they come visit you from out of town. But go into the park when you don’t have guests from out of town. Take a half hour stroll. Take a morning. Take a neighbor. They’re going to be healthier and happier and spend a day not watching television. That’s how we’ll generate awareness and support and volunteers and enthusiasm. I can’t believe how often I meet people who have lived up here a long time and never set foot in a park. Help us spread the word, help us share the love, help us share the trail.”

Murray addressed Friends members and guests at the Sept. 21 annual meeting at St. Mary’s Conference Center. In 2022, the park service designated the Savage Gulf Natural Area as a park separate and distinct from South Cumberland State Park. A third park came into existence in 2024 with the formation of Head of the Crow State Park from four South Cumberland Park regions: Carter State Natural Area and Buggytop Cave, Natural Bridge State Natural Area, Hawkins Cove State Natural Area, and Sherwood Forest State Natural Area. South Cumberland now consists of Fiery Gizzard, Grundy Lakes, and Denny Cove. The Friends have embraced the commitment of being steward to all three parks. “Three parks with three park managers means more attention given to the disparate parcels of land because they have dedicated park managers and park staff. It also presents challenges to support them, because that’s three trail systems attracting more visitors and a lot more activity,” Murray said.

Park rangers from the three parks highlighted what park visitors could look forward to. “Work has been going on at all the trail heads,” said South Cumberland Park Ranger Hannah Sheley. “We have more sidewalks, paved the parking lots, redone bathrooms to make them more ADA accessible. And Foster Falls has had a revamp of the campground adding more ADA sites and a new bathhouse.” Upcoming is trail work on the north end of the Fiery Gizzard and boulder areas, and revamping the exhibits at the visitor’s center to make them more engaging and immersive. “I want people to be able to hear the sounds of birds, feel the touch of different types of rocks, and see the different types of leaves. For the kids to get excited to see them in real life on the trail.” Sheley’s personal passion is interpretation. She praised the “Every Child in the Park” program and the new Friends’ brochure for the schools. Sheley has been working with the Tennessee South Cumberland tourism group making interpretive videos on animals and the visitors center to share with the public.

At the new Head of the Crow Park, Ranger Mathew Thomas cited working on trails, getting an internet presence, the upcoming dedication and official opening of the park, and outreach to the community and the schools. “We’re planning on reworking a lot of our trails and making Buggytop Cave a lot more approachable. It’s one of the most beautiful cave entrances in Tennessee. We want to get as many people out there to see it as possible and get people down to the cave to explore the unique cave ecology. We’re also looking at expanding programs at Crow Creek, possibly on the water, whether that’s canoe floats or creek ecology.” Thomas praised the Friends and community for their ongoing support.

Savage Gulf Ranger Spencer Baxter announced the nomination of two more tree species for “state champion” status, the shagbark hickory and red oak. New at Savage Gulf is the backcountry Meadow Creek Campground on the north plateau on the eastern side of the park. The campground offers single and group campsites, metal fire rings, and pit toilets. “We’re using that model for everything we do going forward with our campgrounds,” Baxter said. He thanked the Friends for help with funding for Meadow Creek and for the purchase of gas lanterns for the popular Stone Door night hikes. Restoration of the 1700s-era Stagecoach Road Trail is underway along with removal of invasive species at Three Forks Lake. Plans also call for new pit toilets at two locations. The visitor center coordinates communication and aid during emergencies, with phone availability nearly 24-7, and the gift shop offers 140 unique items not available anywhere else. “All the money from selling things in the gift shop comes back to the park,” Baxter stressed, “Nearly $40,000 in the past year or so.”

In closing, Murray recalled the observation of Ranger Sheley which ties a neat bow around the shared goal of the Friends and the parks: “Education leads to appreciation. Appreciation leads to conservation. And conservation leads to preservation.”