Panther Creek State Park Wins Award for Excellence in Amenities
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has honored Panther Creek State Park in the Excellence in Amenities Award category of the annual Tennessee State Parks Awards of Excellence.
“We congratulate Panther Creek State Park for this award and commend the staff for keeping the park so inviting, despite the challenges the park faced following Hurricane Helene,” said TDEC Commissioner David Salyers. “Getting the park’s trails and amenities back open quickly after the storm was a top priority for this team, and their hard work deserves such recognition.”
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene left the park’s 28-mile trail system impassable. In seven weeks, maintenance staff, rangers and volunteers from a local bike club cleared 409 trees, reopened all trails and restored the trail system to stable, safe public use. Staff continued monthly inspections, removing 254 additional downed trees and addressing overgrowth along two miles of trail.
The maintenance team also converted an existing structure into a seasonal residence by installing a 90-foot waterline and interior plumbing, establishing septic connection and completing full interior finishing work, including flooring, trim, doors, fixtures and appliances. The team also assisted with renovations at the Trillium House in Whitesburg and completed extensive work on the park’s trail system.
The Excellence in Amenities Award recognizes a park for distinguished achievement in strengthening the quality and performance of facilities and amenities – assets intended to delight visitors and reflect statewide pride. The evaluation considers how substantial maintenance and enhancement demands are met, how the condition of trails and buildings is advanced and how new or restored features align with the mission and long-term vision of Tennessee State Parks.
TDEC announced the following awards for parks in other categories:
- Excellence in Resource Stewardship Award: Johnsonville State Historic Park
- Excellence in Operations Award: Roan Mountain State Park
- Excellence in Visitor Experience Award: Henry Horton State Park
Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park was awarded Park of the Year.
Panther Creek State Park receives the Excellence in Amenities Award in the Tennessee State Parks annual Awards of Excellence. From left are Greer Tidwell, deputy commissioner for Conservation at TDEC; Veronica Greear, Area 6 manager, Tennessee State Parks; Jason Chadwell, park manager, Panther Creek State Park; Kim A. Moore, director of operations, Tennessee State Parks; and Christopher Padgett, chief of staff and parks administrator.