Fall Creek Falls Holding Open House To Share Plans

Fall Creek Falls will hold an Open House Thursday to discuss its plans to restore the park’s scenic loop, damaged by storms last summer.

TDEC Regional Director of External Affairs Robert Becker said when the storm hit, thousands of trees fell. That led to road closures and long-term hazards for visitors. He said with that many downed trees near the road, a forest fire could spell disaster. Becker said in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division, park leadership hopes to not only clear the area, but salvage many of the logs for use elsewhere.

“It’ll restore this area to an oak meadow, which allows a little bit more viewing opportunity for, like deer and other animals that people are really interested in seeing up there,” Becker said.

Becker said he expects work to begin this summer and last through the fall. Residents can hear more about the plans and share thoughts on the work during Thursday’s open house. It begins at 5pm.

“I think it’s important because we want to make sure that everyone who knows and loves Fall Creek Falls knows the plans going forward,” Becker said. “These projects take time.”

Becker said the work could mean temporary road closures as the trees are cleared. The work will include mechanical removal, pesticides, routine prescribed burns to revitalize the land, as well as the planting of various seeds designed to attract pollinators.

“That all depends on timing and availability of staff and that kind of stuff,” Becker said. “But I think that it’s always important, and we always encourage people to come out and learn more about the projects that we have going on at our Tennessee state parks.

He said the work being done will showcase once again the dynamic landscape of the park and protect the new and old growth in the forest.