News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Pickett Civilian Conservation Corps Memorial State Park was named the top park in the state for facilities management.
Park Manager Travis Stover said that the park received the award for its excellence in maintaining the park and its facilities by the use of its staff and volunteers. He said this past year a lot of its help came from a partnership with a group of volunteers from the Kentucky Amish Anabaptist Service Program.
“Which helped us to extend, basically tax dollars that we received,” Stover said. “We were able, with using volunteer help, we were able to make those dollars go a lot further to make improvements to our facility.”
Stover said that volunteers helped with trail maintenance, trail infrastructure, and roof replacements. He said that the award has been validating especially for the staff, that their work has been recognized on a state level.
“They work really hard throughout the year,” Stover said. “Parks are kind of unique because every Tennessee State Park has a dedicated staff and when you have a dedicated staff and people that they love their park. They identify as ‘Hey I work at Pickett that’s my park.’ They care about it and they care about the perception of it to the public.”
Stover said that he feels blessed to work for Tennessee State Parks, particularly Pickett CCC Memorial State Park because of its unique history. Pickett CCC Memorial Park was created in the 1930s. According to a press release from the park, the Stearns Coal and Lumber Company donated nearly 12,000 acres of land to develop into a forest recreational area. The CCC constructed hiking trails, cabins, a lodge, a ranger station, and a 12-acre lake. Stover said some of these facilities are still on the grounds and in use today.
“We think we’re special on that end from the historical aspect of the people that were impacted in the 1930s through the creation of the park to provide recreational opportunities,” Stover said. “But also the young men who helped to build the park. But Pickett is situated in an area that is just a treasure trove of activities.”
Stover said that not only is it a special place to visit, but it’s a special place to work. He said that’s thanks to a staff that feels like family.
