With the announcement that McDonald Farm in Sale Creek will become a state park, local land conservation advocates from across the political spectrum secured another victory.
Area leaders learned from broad public outcry over potential industrial development at Enterprise South Nature Park that Hamilton County residents want investment in outdoor spaces, said state Sen. Bo Watson, R-North Chattanooga.
“They want to see us invest in the recreational economy,” Watson said at a Friday press conference where county and state officials announced their intent to turn McDonald Farm into a state park. “They want to see us attract people to this area because of the beauty of the land.”
At the event, officials praised Republican Gov. Bill Lee for his commitment to conserving land in Tennessee. The governor’s time in office has seen the establishment of 14 new state parks, a record number of parks created under one administration, according to Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner David Salyers.