Tennessee’s national parks in need of $294 million maintenance

Nancy, left, and Reese Conway look at cannons Wednesday, August 23, 2016, in the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Nancy, left, and Reese Conway look at cannons Wednesday, August 23, 2016, in the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.

By David Cobb August 28, 2016 7 min read

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Tennessee’s national parks have $294 million maintenance backlog

A park employee mows Wednesday, August 23, 2016 near Wilder Tower in the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.

Barb Wise walks on the museum terrace above the gate to umbrella rock, which is only opened to allow visitors during the Friends of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park National Treasures fundraiser at Point Park on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016, in Lookout Mountain, Tenn. This year's fundraiser coincided with the U.S. National Parks Service's centennial.

Rangers Donny Campbell, left, and Vino Selimagic, kneeling, with Paul Eastes, right, and a man with a National Parks Service maintenance crew double-check umbrella rock, which is only opened once a year during the Friends of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park National Treasures fundraiser at Point Park on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016, in Lookout Mountain, Tenn. This year's fundraiser coincided with the U.S. National Parks Service's centennial.

Brandon Sharp, Tim Sharp, Marshana Sharp, and Cara Kosky, from left, look out over Lookout Valley from an observation point at the Friends of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park National Treasures fundraiser at Point Park on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016, in Lookout Mountain, Tenn. This year's fundraiser coincided with the U.S. National Parks Service's centennial.

Centennial Celebration Events

› Admission to Point Park on Lookout Mountain is free todayBlues on the knobWhen: Saturday, Sept. 10, 6-10 p.m.Where: Orchard Knob Reservation at Orchard Knob Avenue and Ivy StreetDetails: Enjoy the sounds of four blues bands and activities for children as the history of this unique, urban tract of the park is shared.New trail celebrationWhen: Saturday, Sept. 24, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.Where: Sherman Reservation at Lightfootmill Road on Missionary RidgeDetails: Come celebrate this new trail connecting Pennsylvania Reservation on Glass Street to Sherman Reservation above. There will be activities throughout the day, including sunrise yoga and an evening movie.

Deferred maintenance backlog

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military ParkBuildings: $2.4 millionHousing: $358,000Campgrounds: $9,510Trails: $770,550Wasterwater systems: $391,928Unpaved roads: $367,983Paved roads: $23.7 millionOther: $21.4 millionTotal: $49.5 millionGreat Smoky Mountains National ParkBuildings: $16.7 millionHousing: $1.1 millionCampgrounds: $2.1 millionTrails: $17.4 millionWastewater systems: $5.7 millionWater systems: $7.2 millionUnpaved roads: $5.2 millionPaved roads: $175 millionOther: $2 millionTotal: $232 millionState breakdownAlabama: $115 million at seven parksGeorgia: $215 million at 10 parksTennessee: $294 million at 11 parks

The senators speak

Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn:“Most of deferred maintenance is road construction, and Congress is addressing that.Over the past several years, Congress has passed highway funding bills that allow national parks to receive increased funding. Last year, Congress authorized $268 million, which was an increase of $28 million in the amount of funding the National Park Service receives from the federal gas tax.In my view, park roads should receive an even larger share of the federal gas tax, which was a recommendation of the President’s Commission on American Outdoors, which I chaired for President Reagan.”Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn. (via staff)“Senator Corker feels fortunate to have grown up in Tennessee and takes great pride in the fact that millions of people visit our state every year to experience our outdoors.He is a strong supporter of our national parks and will continue to advocate for proposals that allow the National Park Service to best conserve and maintain these national treasures to ensure they are available to future generations.”

Nancy and Reese Conway’s trip to Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park last week embodied the economic benefit that park advocates tout.

They came from upper East Tennessee, primarily to indulge their interest in Civil War history by visiting the battlefield. They stayed at a downtown hotel, spent money on food and visited other attractions.