Oak Ridge Today

Norris Dam swimming pool will not re-open

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The pool at Norris Dam State Park is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

Tennessee State Parks announced in December that the swimming pool at Norris Dam State Park will not re-open as major maintenance upgrades are required and the use of the pool has declined.

The swimming pool was closed in 2020 and 2021 due to complications related to COVID-19.

“Reopening the pool is unfeasible due to aging facilities, declining visitation pre-COVID 19, and high expenses,” a press release said.

The pool is 45 years old, and visitation was down 29 percent, the press release said.

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State park naturalist to lead adventure at Fall Creek Falls State Park on Saturday

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Join Randy Hedgepath, the state naturalist for Tennessee State Parks, on July 23 for an adventure at Fall Creek Falls State Park. Participants will meet at the park Inn and carpool to the Piney Falls area.

“The plan is to hike out the Lower Cane Creek Loop Trail for about a half-mile and learn about the forest of this part of the Cumberland Plateau,” Hedgepath said. “Then, the real adventure begins.

“We will not cross the suspension bridge, but go down under and explore the streambed down to the top of the falls. The forest along the stream is very different from the plateau top. There will be lots of chances to cool off in the stream, lots of scenic bluffs, and a dramatic view into the gorge. The return trip will backtrack to the bridge and out to the vehicles.” [Read more…]

Tennessee State Parks has public hearing on Norris Dam State Park on Feb. 24

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Norris Dam State Park

Norris Dam State Park

Leaders from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation will be conducting a public hearing at Norris Dam State Park on Tuesday, February 24, to gather public input and discuss the current business and management plan for the park.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with an open house reception to meet park staff and view exhibits. The public hearing portion will begin at 6 p.m. and will last approximately one hour to an hour-and-a-half. [Read more…]

Tennessee state parks offer special discounts to veterans

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Frozen Head State Park

Frozen Head State Park in Wartburg is pictured above. (Photo by Tennessee State Parks)

Veterans Day designated a Free State Park Day for Tennessee veterans

NASHVILLE – Tennessee State Parks announced Tuesday it will have its annual free state parks day for all Tennessee veterans, offering one free night of camping and/or a complimentary round of golf with appropriate identification. Veterans Day is Monday, Nov. 11.

“On Veterans Day, we honor the many brave men and women who have served our country,” Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill said in a press release. “The state parks family invites all of Tennessee’s veterans to visit us on Nov. 11 and enjoy a day in one of our beautiful parks.”

A few of the parks closest to Oak Ridge include Frozen Head State Park in Wartburg, Cove Lake State Park in Caryville, and Big Ridge State Park in Maynardville. (See the Tennessee State Parks website for information on all the parks.) [Read more…]

Big Ridge State Park celebrates anniversary

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Loyston Community before reservoir clearance

Loyston Community before it was covered by water after Norris Dam was built in the 1930s.

The Union County Chamber Tourism Council is celebrating the 75th anniversary of Tennessee state parks at 2 p.m. today. The event will be held at the former Tea Room at Big Ridge State Park and officials will be unveiling the map of the Norris Lake area from Tennessee Valley Authority.

A digitalized copy of the 1935 TVA Norris Reservoir Land Map has been released and includes the plats and names of the families who were displaced by the creation of the lake when Norris Dam was built in the 1930s. This map includes the entire Norris Lake area, and includes the counties of Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Grainger, and Union.

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