Tennessee State Parks Turn 80

By Mary Patten Priestley                                             The Tennessee Conservationist

An overlook in Fall Creek Falls State Park.                                     (Photo: Bob Butters)

  This year, the Tennessee State Parks system, which was established in 1937, turns 80. The Tennessee State Parks system is like a mighty oak tree--starting as a tiny acorn of an idea that found fertile ground, germinated, clambered up through the forest as seedling and then sapling and now stands vigorous and tall, providing nesting and feeding sites for wildlife, shelter for our cultural heritage, sites for all kinds of outdoor activity, as well as beautiful places to get away from it all.

Read more.