NASHVILLE — Gov. Bill Lee will be designating the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Natural Area as one of four new Tennessee state parks and is asking lawmakers for $776,300 in his proposed fiscal year 2023-24 budget to provide for a park manager, three park rangers and five other staffers for the 7,093-acre area near Soddy-Daisy.
Lee unveiled the plan to designate the natural area to park status, along with three other state-owned natural areas, during his State of the State address Monday. He said the goal is to have the “most accessible park system in the nation, regardless of your ZIP code, physical ability or demographics.”
The governor also said Tennesseans should be able to enjoy outdoor experiences close to home.
State Department of Environment and Conservation spokeswoman Kim Schofinski said by email the move comes on top of $5.5 million appropriated last year to provide basic infrastructure to handle “intense demand” in the North Chickamauga Creek area.
Please click here to upgrade to a newer browser.