CLARKSVILLE, Tenn (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) recently recognized Dunbar Cave State Park as the 2019 Tennessee State Park of the Year.
This award recognizes parks that demonstrate excellence in the areas of innovation, sustainability, interpretation, resource management and facility management as well as fiscally responsible operation of the park.
Dunbar Cave State Park, which encompasses 144 acres, is a prehistoric site as part of the Eastern Woodlands. The cave has been used for thousands of years and is the site of significant prehistoric Mississippian Native American cave art dating back to the 14th century.
“Dunbar Cave State Park represents some of the highest qualities of our state parks system,” Jim Bryson, deputy commissioner of TDEC, said. “It takes a lot to stand out among the work of our 56 state parks, and we are proud of the work that has been done at Dunbar Cave. The staff is most worthy of this recognition.”
Port Royal State Historic Park was also recognized, being awarded “Excellence in Resource Management” for its efforts in historic preservation on the 1859 Masonic Lodge and other important sites within the park.
Parks nominated in the resource management category demonstrate excellence in effective and abundant resource management activities within the park. Resource management activities can be both natural and cultural and can include but are not limited to invasive species management, historic preservation, rare species inventory, habitat enhancement or protection, pest management, oral history collection, and more.
“We are pleased to present this award to Port Royal State Park,” Jim Bryson, deputy commissioner of TDEC, said. “The staff at Port Royal has shown a remarkable commitment to restoring the historic assets of the park. This sense of history blends well with the park’s natural assets and makes us proud of the role the park is playing.”
Port Royal State Park has been engaged in the restoration of the historic 1859 Masonic Lodge and General Store in order to reuse the structure and return it to its original state.
As the last remaining structure of the early 19th century town of Port Royal, the restoration is instrumental toward a complete interpretation of the site. When complete, it will serve as the “jumping off” point for visitors to experience the remainder of the park.
The Tennessee State Park Awards were created to recognize excellent work in the parks and are overseen by the Park Area Managers. Parks and Conservation directors vote on the awards, which are presented annually in January at an award ceremony during a parks management conference. Categories for the awards include facilities management, innovation, interpretation, resource management, and sustainability
