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National Public Lands Day Events
Tennessee State Parks & Natural Areas
September 20 & 27, 2008

Trail Maintenance at Big Ridge State Park

Location: 1015 Big Ridge Park Road, Maynardville TN 37807
Date: September 27, 2008
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 noon EST
Sponsors: Tennessee State Parks
Contact: Luke Askins, Lewis.Askins@state.tn.us or 865-992-5523

Description:  Come out and participate in a day of trail maintenance in preparation for the fall hiking season & the October guided hikes at Big Ridge State Park.  Activities will include: removal of downed trees and other trail obstructions, pruning to open trail corridors and trailside litter pick up.

This volunteer activity is moderately strenuous and you must be in reasonably good physical shape.  Please dress appropriately for the weather, wear sturdy shoes and long pants and bring water and a few snacks.  Please contact the Ranger Askins if you are interested in volunteering this day.  There is a limited amount of space.  Meet at the park office at 9 a.m.

Park Clean Up & Festival Set Up at Big Cypress Tree SNA

Location: 295 Big Cypress Road, Greenfield TN 38230
Date: September 27, 2008
Time: 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST
Sponsors: Friends of Big Cypress Tree SNA, Tennessee State Parks
Contact: Bill McCall, Bill.McCall@state.tn.us or 731-235-2700

Description: Big Cypress Tree State Natural Area will be celebrating National Public Lands Day in conjunction with their annual Fall Festival.  Volunteers are needed to pick up litter at the park before, during and after the festival. There is also a need for volunteers to assist with other set up tasks for the event such as moving picnic tables and putting out chairs.  Meet at the picnic shelter at 7:45 a.m.

Park Clean Up at Bledsoe Creek State Park

Location: 400 Zieglers Fort Road, Gallatin TN 37066
Date: September 20, 2008
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon CST    
Sponsors: Friends of Bledsoe Creek State Park, Keep Gallatin Beautiful, Tennessee State Parks
Contact: Sharon Armistead, skarmistead@yahoo.com

Description: Volunteers are needed to collect litter in and around Bledsoe Creek at Bledsoe Creek State Park. There is also a need for volunteers to assist with general park clean up. This project is perfect for your scout troop, company, watershed association or church. Landowners along Bledsoe Creek are encouraged to participate too. The Friends of Bledsoe Creek will be having a picnic for all volunteers after the clean up.  No special skills are required. Children are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult.

Please wear long pants and sturdy shoes for this project. We recommend bringing work gloves too. If you have waders, those will be great for working in and around the water. Have a canoe or flat-bottomed boat with life jackets? Feel free to bring that out to do litter pick up on the water and around the shoreline. Just let us know that you will be bringing your own boat.

Volunteer Work Day & Ranger Led Hike At Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park

Location: 1300 Cordell Memorial Drive, Brydstown TN 38549
Date: September 27, 2008
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST Trail Maintenance, 1 p.m. CST Hike
Sponsors: Tennessee State Parks
Contact: Robin Peeler, Robin.Peeler@state.tn.us or 931-864-3247

Description: Help us celebrate National Public Lands Day by joining us for a workday to do minor trail maintenance on the beautiful Bunkum Cave Trail at Cordell Hull Birthplace State Park.  We will also be performing exotic plant removal along the trail and planting native trees at the trailhead parking lot.

Please wear long pants, boots or sturdy shoes and work gloves (if you have ‘em).  Bring a sack lunch if you plan to stay for the hike at 1 p.m.  Park will supply the tools.  Water and snacks will also be provided.

Meet at the trailhead parking lot across the street from the birthplace cabin prior to 9 a.m.  Please call ahead if you plan to bring a group for the event.  Level of difficulty for this event is moderate.

Trail Maintenance & Lakeshore Clean Up at Cove Lake State Park

Location: 110 Cove Lake Lane, Caryville TN 37714
Date: September 27, 2008
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. EST
Sponsors: Tennessee State Parks
Contact: Casey Hatmaker, Casey.Hatmaker@state.tn.us or 423-566-9701

Description: Trail maintenance activities will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Cove Lake State Park, and will include trash pickup, removal of downed trees, and other trail obstructions.  Bring extra water and snacks and dress appropriately for trail maintenance.  Meet at the park office at 9 a.m.

Lakeshore clean up activities at Cove Lake State Park will be headed up and sponsored by a team from Wal-Mart.  Join the team from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to assist with trash pick up around the lake.  Park will provide eight fishing boats with paddles and life jackets.  Trolling motors/batteries will not be provided but are welcomed and acceptable.  Meet at the park office at 4 p.m.

Bottled water, garbage bags and other equipment will be provided.  It is recommended you bring gloves and wear sturdy shoes.

Clean Up Day at Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park

Location: 1245 Davy Crockett Park Road, Limestone TN 38464
Date: September 27, 2008
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST
Sponsors: Pioneer Friends of Davy Crockett Birthplace, Tennessee State Parks
Contact: Dawn Coleman, Dawn.Coleman@state.tn.us or 423-257-2167

Description:  Help pick up trash along the banks of the Nolichuckey River and the walking trails at Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park.

Meet at our campground shelter at 10 a.m.  The park will provide the necessary tools, trash bags and rubber gloves.  Please wear outdoor working clothes and sturdy old shoes.  Feel free to come out for an hour or the entire day.  Your help is needed to keep our special place beautiful for all to enjoy in the present and for future generations.

Guided Hike at Frozen Head State Park

Location: 964 Flat Fork Road, Wartburg TN 37887
Date: September 27, 2008
Time: 9 a.m. to mid-day EST
Sponsors: Tennessee State Parks
Contact: Travis Bow, Travis.Bow@state.tn.us or 865-617-4619

Description: Park staff will be guiding a moderate day hike across a recently completed section of the Cumberland Trail.  This section of trail borders both the new Bird Mountain and Emory Lake acquisitions of Frozen Head State Park.

This six-mile hike will take us past some of the best scenery in the Cumberland Mountains.  Some sections of the trail are quite steep so wear adequate footwear.  Bring plenty of water and a lunch.  Some minor pruning may take place along the trail and tools will be provided.  Trail maintenance is completely optional.  Feel free to come and simply enjoy some of Tennessee’s newest and most beautiful public lands.

John Muir Trail Hike at Hiwasse State Scenic River

Location: 404 Spring Creek Road, Delano TN 37325
Date: September 20, 2008
Time: 10 a.m. to mid-day EST
Sponsors: Tennessee State Natural Areas, Tennessee State Parks
Contact: David Lincicome, David.Lincicome@state.tn.us or 615-532-0439
               Andrea Bishop, Andrea.Bishop@state.tn.us or 615-741-9141

Description: A guided hike on the John Muir Trail along the Hiwassee State Scenic River in celebration of National Public Lands Day. 

Participants should meet at the Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park office to caravan to the Appalachia Powerhouse.  From there, the hike will go upstream through the Hiwassee River gorge to the Coker Creek confluence, then back to the powerhouse.  This easy to moderate hike is approximately six miles round-trip and will take participants through The Narrows of the Hiwassee River gorge. 

Reservations are required for this hike.  Please contact either David or Andrea to reserve a space.  Participants should wear sturdy boots, bring plenty of water and a lunch.  The hike will be cancelled in the event of rain.

Trail walk & Clean Up at Indian Mountain State Park

Location: 143 State Park Circle, Jellico TN 37762
Date: September 27, 2008
Time: 9 a.m. to mid-day EST
Sponsors: Tennessee State Parks
Contact: Amanda Gurganus, Amanda.Gurganus@state.tn.us or 423-784-7958

Description: Enjoy guided hikes at  Indian Mountain State Park starting at 9 a.m.  Trash will also be collected while walking the trails.  Wear sturdy shoes and bring some water.  Trash bags will be provided.

Clean Up Day at Laurel Snow State Natural Area

Location: North of Dayton, TN
Date: September 27, 2008
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST
Sponsors: Tennessee State Parks
Contact: Jeff Nicholson, Jeff.Nicholson@state.tn.us or 423-290-7091

Description: This volunteer workday will include clean up of the roadway and entrance to Laurel Snow SNA. Activities will include pruning, general debris removal and painting of the front gate. Please bring work gloves, wear long pants and sturdy shoes. Volunteers should also bring water and a sack lunch. Other tools and supplies will be provided. This is a moderately strenuous activity and volunteers must be in good physical shape. Workday begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. Meet at the parking lot of the natural area. See our webpage for specific driving directions to the work site.

Get Fit in the Park

Location: 1020 Jackson Hill Road, Burns TN 37029
Date: September 27, 2008
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST
Sponsors: TDEC, Tennessee State Parks, Get Fit Tennessee
Contact: Nancy Schelin, Nancy.Schelin@state.tn.us or 615-532-5249

Description: Come out to Montgomery Bell State Park for Get Fit in the Park, a joint event between Get Fit Tennessee and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.  Commissioner of Health, Susan R. Cooper and Commissioner Jim Fyke of Environment and Conservation are joining together for the first ever Get Fit in the Park event.  Enjoy a short hike with both Commissioners, hike another park trail, participate in a guided mountain bike ride or canoe on the lake.

Get Fit in the Park is being held in conjunction with National Public Lands Day.  Participants will be given trash bags to pick up litter while hiking, biking or canoeing.

Get Fit Tennessee, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and community partners will have informational booths, activities and giveaways.  Join us for this outdoor event celebrating health and fitness and the award-winning Tennessee State Parks.

Event will take place rain or shine.  In case of inclement weather, the festivities will be moved inside the Park Office/Visitor Center.

If you plan to mountain bike, please bring your own bike.  Canoes will be provided to those wanting to paddle on the lake.

Litter Pick Up at Norris Dam State Park

Location: 123 Village Green Circle, Lake City TN 37769
Date: September 27, 2008
Time: 9 a.m. to early afternoon EST
Sponsors: Friends of Norris Dam State Park, Tennessee State Parks
Contact: Mark Morgan, Mark.Morgan@state.tn.us or 865-426-7461

Description: Volunteers needed to show their appreciation for public lands at Norris Dam State Park.  Join the staff and the Friends of Norris Dam State Park in celebrating National Public Lands Day.  We will be picking up litter along Highway 441 around the west park entrance way.  This will involve a short
1mile hike either south or north along Highway 441.  Park will provide gloves and litter bags.  Please wear covered toe shoes and bring some water.  Meet at the park office at 9 a.m.

Lakeshore Clean Up & Trail Maintenance at Panther Creek State Park

Location: 2010 Panther Creek Road, Morristown TN 37814
Date: September 27, 2008
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST
Sponsors: Tennessee State Parks
Contact: John LeCroy, John.LeCroy@state.tn.us or 423-587-7046

Description: Lakeshore clean up, trail maintenance activities and tree planting are planned at Panther Creek State Park in celebration of National Public Lands Day. 

Meet at 9 a.m. at Kidwell’s Ridge for lakeshore clean up and trail maintenance activities.  Volunteers will be removing litter and other obstructions on the park’s newest trail. 

At 1 p.m., meet at the playground for tree planting and landscaping activities.  To commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps, National Public Lands Day is spearheading a one million tree planting initiative.  The trees planted at this event will be counted.

Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes; bring work gloves, water and a lunch, if you plan to stay the entire day.

Bike Ride at Roan Mountain State Park

Location: 1015 Highway 143, Roan Mountain TN 37687
Date: September 27, 2008
Time: 9 a.m. to mid-day EST
Sponsors: Tennessee State Parks
Contact: Pat Gagan, Pat.Gagan@state.tn.us or 423-772-0190

Description: Get fit in the park for National Public Lands Day with Ranger Pat on the Tour de Farmstead at Roan Mountain State Park.  Participants should meet in the campground at 9 a.m. for this fun bike ride.  Start with an easy trail and road ride to Horseshoe Turn and follow with a 1.2 mile climb up, up, up to the Miller Farmstead Overlook.  Refreshments at the Farmstead will be followed by a leisurely return to the campground.  Exertion level – STRENUOUS.  Please bring your own bicycle and plenty of water.

Island Clean Up at Tims Ford State Park

Location: 570 Tims Ford Drive, Winchester TN 37398
Date: September 27, 2008
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST
Sponsors: Tims Ford Environmental Education Association, Tennessee State Parks
Contact: LouAnn Partington, tfeea@yahoo.com or 931-393-4835

Description: Cleaning up campground areas and shorelines on the islands in Tims Ford Lake at Tims Ford Lake State Park.  Volunteers will be ferried out to the islands, but participants can also bring their own boats if they need more flexibility in their schedule for the day.  Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes, bring water and a sack lunch.  Some soft drinks will be provided.  Meet at the park Recreation Building prior to 9 a.m.

Trail Clean Up With The Boy Scouts at Warriors’ Path State Park

Location: 490 Hemlock Road Kingsport TN. 37663 (Overflow Campground)
Date: September 27, 2008
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST
Sponsors: Tennessee State Parks and Boy Scouts of America
Contact: Scott Crick, scott.j.crick@state.tn.us or 423-239-8531

Description: Come out and join the Boy Scouts for National Public Land Day as they clean up Warriors' Path State Park newest trail. The Trail will lead people from the overflow campground through a woodland setting and end up near the Park Office and swimming pool. Everyone is welcome to participate.  Please bring some gloves, work clothes, shoes or work boots and some bottled water and snacks.  Join in the excitement as you create a new trail for future generations to enjoy!

Click here to find out about National Public Lands Day Events at our State Natural Areas.

For other National Public Lands Day Events in Tennessee, go to http://www.publiclandsday.org/involved/sites.htm?state=Tennessee