CLARKSVILLE, TN – Friends of Dunbar Cave has been awarded an Evan Means Grant from Tennessee Trails Association to purchase more tools for a trail rerouting project at Dunbar Cave State Park.

Tennessee Trails Association awarded Friends of Dunbar Cave the full amount requested for an Evan Means Grant, just over $900. FODC plans to purchase larger, more expensive tools that rangers and volunteers can use on the trail project. Currently, rangers have been borrowing tools from other state parks.

Stone stairs that Ranger John Ball and volunteers are working on at Dunbar Cave State Park. Construction of the stone stairs is one reason that bigger tools are needed. (Contributed)

Ranger John Ball, project leader, is rerouting portions of the Recovery and Short Loop trails at Dunbar Cave State Park. He has been working on this project for much of 2021, and he plans to finish the project with volunteers early next year. The new portions of trail highlight sections of the park that visitors haven’t seen. The project requires construction of trails, including bridges and rock stairs.

Friends of Dunbar Cave Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit group of member volunteers who work to preserve, promote and protect Dunbar Cave State Park. FODC has been working diligently throughout 2021 to write more grants. So far, FODC has received every grant that they have applied for this year.