Information about our Tennessee State Parks

Tennessee State Parks selected best in nation

Every two years the National Recreation and Park Association selects a state park system to receive the prestigious Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, the highest honor a park system can receive within the industry. Winners are determined by a panel of parks and recreation professionals that evaluate application materials with an emphasis on long-range planning, resource management, citizen support systems, environmental stewardship, program and professional development and agency recognition.
This year the state parks of Georgia, Tennessee and Utah were finalists for the Gold Medal Award. On September 26 at the National Recreation and Park Association Congress in Indianapolis, Tennessee State Parks was named Gold Medal Winner for 2007. Tennessee had been a finalist for this award previously, but had never won.

Some key accomplishments of Tennessee State Parks since 2003 identified by judges include:

-Reopening 14 parks that had been previously closed;
-Removing restrictive access fees from the 23 state parks that had instituted them;
-Acquiring park adjacent properties with exceptional conservation value;
-Partnering with the Nature Conservancy and conservation-minded timber companies to protect 124,000 acres on the Northern Cumberland Plateau;
-Working with community organizations and other partners to open the first Boundless Playground at a state park anywhere in the country at Warriors'
Path State Park;
-Purchasing renewable "Green Power" in all state parks where it's available.
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke was at the NRPA Congress to receive this recognition. "I am extremely proud of the parks professionals and staff at Tennessee State Parks," said Commissioner Fyke when asked about the significance of the award. "This tremendous accomplishment is a tribute to their dedication, expertise and commitment. It took an outstanding team effort - from the support of Governor Phil Bredesen to every park ranger and staff member in the field - to create the kind of progress that merits this honor."

Tennessee State Parks is celebrating its 70th Anniversary in 2007 at each of its 54 locations and 77 State Natural Areas. From the Appalachian Mountains in the east to the Mississippi River in the west, Tennessee State Parks offer a full range of recreational opportunities and natural experiences for more than 25 million visitors annually. "From our thousands of miles of hiking trails and unique interpretative programs to our inns and world-class golf courses, Tennessee State Parks amplify the beauty and diversity of our state’s natural scenery," said Assistant Commissioner Mike Carlton. "I hope this national recognition will encourage people across the United States to come and enjoy our good nature at Tennessee State Parks."
For more information on Tennessee State Parks visit www.tnstateparks.com.
To view Tennessee State Parks Grand Award Gold Medal video, visit http://www.tnstateparks.com/video/awards2007.wmv

Information Provided by Tennessee State Parks Website

-VentureTree Team

[ Pinnacle Trail ]

Check it out. Our first blog on a local trail here in the Nashville area. Grab your day bag and your hiking shoes and hit this trail with a buddy or three.

Directions : Between I-40 and hickory hollow mall off of bell road.
Take exit 219 from Nashville and then take a right onto Stewart ferry road.
At the first stoplight stewards ferry road mergers into bell road.
Continue on Bell you will pass Elm Hill Marina on left
The road forks. Take that right fork on to Ned Shelton Road.
Travel a very short distance until you see a chained gate on left.
This is the parking area.

Location: For some reason, the area to pinnacle is chained off. The trail is used for both hiking and mountain biking. The day that we here at The VentureTree went for a hike we saw several mountain bikers enjoying the trail. As you leave the comforts of your vehicle you walk up a path road to the sign that reads “Pinnacle Trail”. There are no maps available. But, I am here to tell you that the trail is a loop trail is only 5 miles through a beautiful scenic area. ** Here's a link to the area were the trail is located. Pinnacle Trail Map

Here's a link to the trail itself: Pinnacle Trail

Need 2 know: The day that we hiked the trail we started on the side that the mountain bikers took. It was a nice start but beware, the trail starts to get a little step within the first few hundred yards. The rest of the trail is winding back and forth. Try to avoid the switchbacks, the trail has been maintained very well though we took a the short cut trail and ended up cutting the trip in half. Needless to say, we finished a bit early! We took the first left from the mountain bikers start, and upon doing this we ended up back at the paved road that you see at the beginning. On the other side, there is a short winding trail that drops you off at a wooden trash can in where I think is the original parking area before the area got chained off. I prefer to call this side the hiker’s side.

If I planned to hike this trail again I would start off at the hikers side. That way you are hiking you can be aware of your surroundings and yield to the mountain bikers that may not be able to stop or just might not see you!

Pros/cons: This is a great trial if you live in the Hermitage, Antioch, or Doneslon area. If you want to get away from the over traveled greenway, this is a great alternative. TIP: Don't forget to check for ticks when you are done.Take water and a lunch if you plan to do all 5 miles at a leisurely pace. It's also a good trail to do a good trail running session. Or you can hit the trail with your mountain bike.

There are only a few negatives about this area. The parking is limited (suggest carpooling), area must have been chained off for some reason and not knowing that reason can be a little worrisome. VentureTree will have to investigate the reason for the chained area in a later blog.
Now get out there!
The Venture Tree | outdoors. gear. life.
source map: webelevation.com