Tennessee State Parks is asking the public to help shape the next five years at 12 parks, including Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park in Madison County, WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News reported Tuesday.
Pinson Mounds held a public meeting Tuesday to go over its five-year strategic management plan. Those plans guide how a park will protect natural and historic resources, improve facilities and serve the people who visit.
Park Manager Dedra Ekberg said the comments matter because the people who come to the park should have a voice. "The reason why we love for our public to come out is because they are the people coming to the park. You guys are the people coming out to see us every day, coming out to enjoy the site, and our historical partners, our tribal partners, other divisional partners, are the ones helping us take care of the land and take care of the historical record," Ekberg said.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation announced the review in October. It said every state park already has a long-term plan for serving visitors, and that the 12 parks in this round have drafted updated proposals being presented at meetings at or near each park.
Each plan is built around four cornerstones: resource stewardship, visitor experience, facilities and amenities, and operational excellence. The department will take comments at the meetings and written comments through December 31, 2026, on its management plan comment form. Draft plans are available through the Bureau of Conservation, Planning and Publication.
Besides Pinson Mounds, the parks in this review include Panther Creek, Johnsonville State Historic Park, Henry Horton, Hiwassee Scenic River, Cummins Falls, Mousetail Landing, Pickett CCC Memorial, Norris Dam, Edgar Evins, Fort Pillow and Harrison Bay. Remaining meetings, according to the department's October announcement, include Mousetail Landing, Pickett CCC Memorial and Norris Dam on Nov. 12, Edgar Evins on Nov. 16 and Fort Pillow on Nov. 30, with Harrison Bay in December.
Raw 100.5 will share more as residents comment on the Pinson Mounds plan.
Sources: WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News; Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation