News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Standing Stone State Park will reopen its pool next spring season after being shut down for two years because of COVID.
Director of Strategy and Support Brian Clifford said the decision comes down from TDEC Deputy Commissioner Jim Bryson.
“We’re in a position where we think we’ve managed our COVID protocols quite well,” Clifford said. “We are seeing a decline in cases, and with our safety approach, we feel comfortable opening our pools.”
Clifford said Standing Stone’s pool averages over 10,000 visitors per season. Clifford said the return means more money for the park. The pool ranked in the top four statewide in revenue, Clifford said.
“Standing Stone has a great pool,” Clifford said. “It’s actually one of the cheapest to reopen. (…) and is actually one of the few pools that showed growth leading up to 2019.”
Clifford said the process to reopen will begin next year by starting the search for lifeguards. An exact date is yet to be determined, but Clifford said reopening will closely follow the typical schedule.
The State Park System announced Monday 16 pools that are reopening, including Fall Creek Falls State Park.
