Cummins to Receive Overlook Funding February

The new overlook at Cummins Falls will receive Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funding next month.

Park Manager Ray Cutcher says the new overlook project was needed to make the area accessible for those with disabilities.

“The project is slated as far as our contract with the RTP folks to begin the first of February,” Cutcher said. “And from there we will have two years to complete the project. Although, I believe we will get it done a lot faster than that. So things are moving pretty good on that project.”

The Cummins Falls overlook project will move forward in February. (Photo: Cummins Falls Facebook)

Cutcher said construction will not begin until later in the year.

“Contractors may not actually start in February that’s just when we will have the contract with RTP to get the funding for it,” Cutcher said. “So right now I am not too concerned about the weather in February.”

The RTP grant awards Cummins Falls with $200,000 for the overlook project. Cutcher said the Friends of Cummins Falls group will match with $50,000. Cummins Falls was officially awarded the grant in 2018.

Cutcher said he is excited for the project to break ground.

“I think [it is] a very beneficial project to our visitors,” Cutcher said. “It is going to provide folks who have disabilities and maybe aren’t able to get down to the gorge at the bottom of the waterfall a great vantage point to view the waterfall. And it will be ADA-accessible.”

Cutcher said the project may be completed by the end of summer this year.