More visitors are taking advantage of the outdoors at Tennessee state parks – The Tennessean
“Sarg” Larry Hill, a regular at Montgomery Bell State Park for 26 years, golfed Tuesday at his favorite spot for the first time this season.
“I’m normally out here sooner, but we were cooped up for two months and then I went back to work,” Hill, 79, said. “I finally told my wife today, ‘I’m going out and I’ll see you tonight.’ ”
Hill is among many who have taken advantage of Tennessee’s state parks remaining open through much of the coronavirus pandemic.
After shutting down April 3, most state parks reopened for day-use only April 24 and have been bustling with visitors as the July Fourth holiday draws near. The parks have since opened for overnight use by reservation as of May 15.
“We are seeing high visitation now, and we have been the past several weeks,” said Kim Schofinski, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation deputy communications director.
Visitation increased at parks such as Cedars of Lebanon early during the pandemic when there simply wasn’t much else to do. Officials hope some of the new visitors become regulars.
“Our visitation is actually a little above normal just due to the fact that at the first it was really busy because everything else was closed, but the parks were open,” Cedars of Lebanon park manager Jeff Buchanan said. “We got a big influx of visitors then, and we kept a few of those that wouldn’t traditionally visit a park that found something I guess they didn’t know was there or maybe didn’t realize what we had until they came out and visited. Other than that we’re about normal for this time of the year.”
An average of 100,000 people visit Cedars of Lebanon each month during the peak months, and Buchanan said that has been the case each of the last two months.
In June 2019, total visitation at all Tennessee state parks was 4.66 million. July was a little lower, at 4.46 million visitors.
Typically, state parks are not busy, especially during the week, said Gena Albertia, 48, of Clarksville, whose family has annual national park passes and visits both state and national parks frequently.
This year, Albertia said she’s noticed much higher attendance at both.
“I think it’s because we keep hearing in the media that being outdoors is safer and it’s actually good for our health,” Albertia said. “I’m really happy to see a lot more people coming out and appreciating our state parks.”
The Rock Island State Park website warns visitors of “extremely high visitation, especially on weekends,” and asks visitors not to park on road shoulders if there are no available parking spots. Tennessee state park officials said they have encouraged visitors to find a less crowded place to visit if this is the case.
Some visitors are going to their state parks for the first time as a result of ongoing pool and playground closures, like Jenny Allen, who brought her three children to Montgomery Bell State Park last Tuesday. Allen said they are “big playground fans,” but many play areas are still closed. When they saw Montgomery Bell’s playground equipment had been removed, the kids found a place to play in the creek instead.
“At first Mom said we couldn’t get in the creek, but then we saw (the play equipment) was all taken out, so she said we could get in,” Wendy Allen, 13, said.
At Montgomery Bell State Park, the biggest crowds were at the golf course — “a great sport for social distancing,” according to park manager Pat Wright, who said their visitation has been up a lot since reopening. Over Memorial Day weekend, Wright said Montgomery Bell saw an average of 2,000 cars per day, and on an average weekday sees anywhere between 600 and 2,400 cars. Golf shop employee Elizabeth Kilpatrick, 18, said even weekdays are busy, as most guests aren’t back at work yet.
Know before you go
Some of the restrictions put in place due to the pandemic have been relaxed, while some remain in place.
For instance, the swimming pools at the parks will not open this season.
Also, golfers are being asked to make tee times in advance to avoid large groups at the clubhouses waiting to begin play.
Some group facility rentals are still not available depending on the size of the group, particularly if it’s more than 50 people.
“The main guidance we’re trying to get out to visitors is sort of responsible recreation tips that align with COVID,” Schofinski said. “Practice social distancing, don’t come to the park if you’re sick, don’t travel long distances and try to stay local, and also don’t visit overcrowded areas. If you arrive and a parking lot is full, come back later or find another outdoor area in the park to explore.”
The website Keeping Visitors Healthy is regularly updated with the latest restrictions at each state park.
For instance, if you’re headed to the gorge at Cummins Falls, which reopened May 15, two weeks after most other parks, you must register for a permit online beforehand. Gorge permits cost $6, and only 100 permits currently are available per day. The permit system is “another step in the state’s comprehensive plan to manage the park,” Schofinski said via email. Visitors can still hike and enjoy two scenic overlook areas at Cummins without a permit.
Rock Island State Park on Center Hill Lake has had particularly high visitation and parking at or near capacity, according to the state park’s website.
Many on-site bathrooms are either closed or open in a limited capacity. Park staff members recommend planning your route ahead of time with these considerations in mind.
All state park restaurants that temporarily closed due to COVID-19 have reopened. Availability of service, menus and hours vary at each location.
Guests seeking overnight lodging or golf tee times should reserve a place online before visiting, as slots fill up quickly and are limited for social distancing.
Outdoor grills are available again, but gatherings are limited to 50 people or fewer, in accordance with state reopening guidelines. Some seasonal activities, such as boat rentals, may not be fully operational at some parks. Reopening of these activities is based upon the park’s ability to hire necessary staff and implement guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Getting out and staying safe
Groups of 50 are now allowed to gather in larger buildings at most parks, which is up from groups of 10, which were allowed earlier during the pandemic.
“People are frustrated by that at times, but they all understand what we’re doing,” Buchanan said.
Melanie Rich and Sam York visited Cedars of Lebanon on Tuesday and said they were happy to comply with whatever restrictions are still in place just for the opportunity to be outdoors.
They hiked to Jackson Cave, visited the butterfly and native plant garden and then did the 4-mile loop hike.
“Honestly, I’ve been coming out here as much as I can and to other state parks,” said Rich, of Lebanon. “We love the outdoors. I definitely feel safe outside. I haven’t been one of those that wears a mask all the time anyway. I just love the fresh air.”
York, who recently moved from Nashville to Lebanon, was on her first visit to Cedars of Lebanon.
She is a nurse who works with special-needs children and said the visit helped relieve the stress she has felt from her job.
“I’ve tried to be really careful because I have patients who are high risk,” York said. “Being able to get out in nature is a good way to still get out and not be around a lot of people.”
Stewart and Jennifer Conner and their two daughters played at the Cedars of Lebanon Frisbee golf course Tuesday after traveling from Nashville to Chattanooga the day before only to find Point Park Battlefield closed. The battlefield is in Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, where some areas are still closed due to the pandemic.
“That was disappointing so we were happy to get to do this today,” Stewart Conner said. “We’re on vacation just looking for some random things to do. We realized that our Frisbee golf game really needs some enhancement. But we had fun.”
Published 11:00 PM EDT Jun 23, 2020
