Support Tennessee State Parks In The Big Payback
April 28, 2022 | Permalink
Behind every Tennessee State Park stands a strong group of advocates who selflessly offer their time, talents, and energy to ensure their favorite park is protected and continually improving. Every visitor benefits from their efforts, but only some recognize who’s responsible for the constant enhancements of their favorite natural spaces. It’s time to celebrate the nonprofit groups behind our parks such as the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy and the Friends Groups.
From 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4th through 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 5th, the Big Payback is giving you the chance to help support these nonprofits and leave a positive impact on a park that has impacted you. The Big Payback is an annual event held in May dedicated to raising funds for Middle Tennessee nonprofits like our park’s friends groups and the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy.
What is the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy?
Established in 2016, the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner of the Tennessee State Parks system. Although many parks have a Friends group to support their specific park, the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy supports projects and programs that span multiple parks. From helping children get out of the classroom and learn about wildlife at our parks to building storybook trails that promote early childhood literacy and exercise, the Tennessee State Parks Conservancy is dedicated to supporting our parks and engaging communities in the outdoors.
How your donation makes a difference
The Tennessee State Parks Conservancy works to raise funds for educational programs, health initiatives, and special park projects that preserve, protect, and enhance the 56 state parks across Tennessee.
What are Friends Groups?
Since 1993, concerned citizens have banded together to form Friend Groups to provide a treasured gift to the park for the enjoyment of generations to come. As a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, the groups are able to support park programs, projects, and land acquisition efforts through financial contributions and member action. With the growing need for safe recreational facilities, environmental education, and open spaces, the support of these Friend Groups matters more than ever.
Friends of South Cumberland State Park
About the Friends
Now protecting nearly 31,000 acres, South Cumberland is the largest State Park in Tennessee. Although this is great news, more land and more visitors creates new and urgent unmet needs for the park. The Friends of South Cumberland State Park have been making improvements to the park such as:
- Purchased land to add to the park
- Built bridges, a Ranger house, and picnic shelters
- Created educational programs for local schools
- Created a new interpretive area at the site of the Civilian Conservation Corps camp
- Renovated the visitors center
- Provided construction materials and rescue equipment
How your donation makes a difference
The Friends of South Cumberland speak on what improvements are needed in the park, and how your donations from the Big Payback can insure that South Cumberland will always be a safe, well-maintained and amazing place to experience world-class natural beauty!
“Trails must be maintained or upgraded. Improved trailheads, interpretive and directional signage are needed. Invasive pests, like the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid, and invasive plants must be controlled. Guided hikes, seminars and workshops, including programs for area school children, must be prepared and delivered. And, the work of conserving additional environmentally-significant lands is far from complete.”
Friends of Long Hunter State Park
About the Friends
Long Hunter State Park is located 40 minutes from Nashville and provides a retreat to observe wildlife, admire rare and endangered wildflowers, paddle scenic Couchville Lake, or engage in exercise on a trail. The Friends of Long Hunter State Park have been working to protect and preserve the park since 1991. Below are just a few accomplishments of the Friends of Long Hunter:
- Establish outreach programs for senior citizens
- Started the award-winning Nature Circle program for pre-school children
- Created the first state-certified arboretum in Tennessee State Parks
- Organized multiple popular events such as Dancing in the Park and Trivia Night
- Made a continuous effort to help clean up the trails and lakeshores within the park
How your donation makes a difference
This will be the fifth year the Friends of Long Hunter State Park has participated in the Big Payback. This has become a significant and needed source of revenue. These donations have helped support major trail building and maintenance projects within the park, most notably the major extension of the Jones Mill Bike Trail and the enhancement of the Story Book Trail, which is ongoing. Other improvements include signage, trails, and the purchase of equipment for park maintenance.
Friends of the Johnsonville State Historic Park
About the Friends
Johnsonville State Historic Park commemorates the site of the Johnsonville Depot, the Battle of Johnsonville and the historic town site of Johnsonville that existed from 1864-1944 prior to the formation of Kentucky Lake. Below are just some of the projects the Friends of Johnsonville State Historic Park have completed:
- Purchased the first AED machine for the park that prepares staff to respond in the event a visitor experiences cardiac arrest.
- Helped to raise funds for the new visitors center that features interpretive displays to teach visitors about the park’s rich history
- Worked to place books on the historical importance of the park into school libraries throughout the county
- Created events that provided transportation to senior citizens in assisted living homes and included driving park tours.
- Worked at aid stations and provided financial support for the Johnsonville Charge 5K.
- Hosted numerous educational events throughout the year to engage the community
How your donation makes a difference
The Friends of Johnsonville State Historic Park are working to raise funds for a pollinator garden that will be planted outside the park visitor center.
Friends of Cedars of Lebanon State Park
About the Friends
The Friends of Cedars of Lebanon State Park help protect over 9,000 acres home to 19 rare species of wildflowers that are found only in the cedar glade environment. The park and forest offer outdoor enthusiasts many educational and recreational opportunities as well as a natural refuge from the surrounding metropolitan areas.
As metropolitan development continues to move east from Nashville, the acquisition of land for preservation is becoming more important. In 2019, the Friends of Cedars of Lebanon assisted in the acquisition of the bordering 80-acre Ford Reed property, which holds the Sadie Ford Heritage Farm & Cultural Arts Center. The center offers an immersive, year-round educational experience of living history to the public. Some of their additional projects include:
- Park cleanups
- Numerous educational events throughout the year such as Junior Ranger Camp
- Assisted with annual athletic events
How your donation makes a difference
Your donation to the Friends of Cedars of Lebanon will be used to protect and improve the park through projects such as trail maintenance, volunteer events, educational programs, and more.
Friends of Tims Ford State Park
About the Friends
The Friends of Tims Ford help protect the 1,321-acre park that sits on the banks of picturesque Tims Ford Lake. Below are just some of the projects the Friends of Tims Ford State Park have completed:
- Installing a storybook trail
- Creating events that connect kids to parks
- Helped organize trail maintenance days
- Improved and provided funding for the park’s birds of prey program
How your donation makes a difference
Donations to the Friends of Tims Ford will support trail building workdays and supplies; the pollinator garden/plot and wildflower trail; races, hikes, Heritage Days and other holiday events; feeding the animals at the nature center, and other improvements to this building.
Friends of Radnor Lake
About the Friends
The Friends of Radnor Lake help protect and improve Radnor Lake, a 1,402-acre Class II Natural Area featuring trails that wander through the woods surrounding the lake. The park provides an oasis for Middle Tennessee where hikers can enjoy the native wildlife. Below are just some of the projects the Friends of Radnor Lake State Park have completed:
- Land acquisition
- Watershed protection – protecting wildlife and native plants from runoff chemicals.
- Water quality studies and monitoring
- Invasive exotic plant removal.
- Created a renewed habitat for birds, butterflies, and endangered species
- Construction of an aviary and an observation deck
- Assisted with educational youth programs such as Jr. Ranger Camp
How your donation makes a difference
Your donation to the Friends of Radnor Lake will support the Aviary Program at the park. This program cares for non-releasable birds of prey. Educational programs are conducted at the aviary to help the public learn more about these birds.
Support A Park You Love
If you love a particular park that isn’t included in the Big Payback, you can still donate to a park's Friends Group, a specific park, or the Tennessee State Parks general fund.
Donate to a Park's Friends Group
Donate to a Specific Park or the General Fund
How your donation makes a difference
Your donations help us continue investing in quality programs and services like:
- Building and maintaining new trails
- Feeding and care for our birds of prey (eagles, hawks, owls, etc.)
- Providing children's programs to connect youth to the outdoors
- Upgrading our playground equipment
- Projects that improve visitor experience, not funded by the state's General Fund