A housekeeper moves between rooms at the park inn at Fall Creek Falls State Park on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, in Spencer, Tenn. A plan to demolish the park’s existing inn and replace it with a new facility that is privately run has apparently been renewed, and the process would take more than 2 years which would displace the more than 60 current employees.SPENDING PLAN
State park capital spending proposed in annual budgets under Gov. Bill Haslam› 2017-18: $58.8 million› 2016-17: $54.7 million› 2015-16: $15.9 million› 2014-15: $530,000› 2013-14: $4.2 million› 2012-13: $28.55 million› 2011-12: $11.21 million› 2010-11: $10.56 million
*THE PROJECTS
*2017-18 proposed state park capital projects:$23.07 million, Paris Landing State Park, Henry County: Funds for the demolition of existing inn and the construction of a new inn to include guest rooms, conference and meeting space, and restaurant.$11.68 million, Pickwick Landing State Park, Hardin County: Funds for the enhancement of state park hospitality operations. Funds support renovations of the inn, conference center, kitchen, and restaurant. Project includes the replacement of mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems. Additionally, funds support repairs to the parking lots and swimming facilities.$10.05 million, Henry Horton State Park, Marshall County: Funds for the enhancement of state park hospitality operations. Funds support the demolition of the inn, visitor center, and restaurant, and the construction of a new visitor center and restaurant. Additionally, funds support road reconfiguration and required site work.$4.29 million, Rocky Fork State Park, Unicoi County: Funds for the construction of a visitor center, maintenance building, two picnic shelters, driveway, and pedestrian bridge.*$3.3 million for trail and bridge replacements: Funds for the replacement, improvement, and construction of trails and bridges at Fall Creek Falls, Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail, Fort Pillow, and Burgess Falls State Parks.$2 million, Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, Shelby County: Funds for renovations of existing facilities the park’s group camp, including roof replacement, exterior and interior repairs, plumbing and electrical systems upgrades, and structural stabilization.$1.96 million, Standing Stone State Park, Overton County: Funds for rehabilitation of historic Works Progress Administration cabins, in accordance with National Historic Register standards.$1.37 million, Harrison Bay State Park, Hamilton County: Funds for renovations to the floating fuel pier system, fuel dispensers and controls, restrooms, and all related work. Project includes upgrades and renovations to the marina water and electrical services.$1.1 million, water tank repairs, statewide
Amid an ongoing effort to privatize hospitality services at Fall Creek Falls State Park, some state officials are not yet publicly committing to pursue similar plans at other state parks. But with Gov. Bill Haslam’s proposed 2017-18 budget featuring an unprecedented $58.8 million in capital spending at state parks across Tennessee, Fall Creek Falls looks poised to be just the first park to have a private vendor take over management of its hotel, conference center, restaurant and golf course from state employees.
Haslam’s proposed budget, released Jan. 30, allots a combined $44.8 million for large-scale renovations to facilities at three state parks, mirroring a similar investment at Fall Creek Falls from last year’s budget that preceded the privatization effort there.
“At this time, there are no active plans in place” in regards to further privatization efforts at those three parks, Paris Landing, Pickwick Landing and Henry Horton, said a Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation spokesperson in an email Friday.