AFORR, Dale said, is pressing ahead to make Clark Center State Park a reality by coordinating with other organizations to establish a fund that can receive contributions from public and private entities as well as individuals. Through this, she said AFORR hopes to raise the full $6.25 million. Dale said her group was also working with others to propose a conceptual design for the park’s future.
Rich diversity of recreational opportunities
“The Park offers opportunities for birding, boating, biking, fishing, hiking, paddling, picnicking, star gazing, swimming and wildlife viewing,” she said, including a fishing area that’s accessible to people with disabilities.
She cited as an example of the area’s appeal the Beast of the East, a group affiliated with Tennessee Bass Foundation, holding a youth fishing tournament there.
“More than 100 people came from Middle and East Tennessee and launched 33 boats on Melton Hill Lake in pursuit of elusive bass,” Dale said. “To his delight, a 14-year-old from Overton County caught a 50 pounder. The group enjoyed their visit so much that they voted to return for a tournament next year.”
The state park would become the heart of the Pellissippi Blueway, an endeavor of several conservation groups, endorsed by the National Park Service, promoting the stretch of the Clinch River from Millers Island below Norrris Dam to Melton Hill Dam as a paddling area.
Clark Center Conservation Cèilidh
The Clark Center Conservation Cèilidh at Clark Center Park, 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24 will provide opportunities for all to provide comments on ideas and discuss options for the park.
The Schedule for the day is:
2:30 p.m. – Music by Nashville singer/songwriter Pat Cupples.
3:30 p.m. – Hike on the Gallaher Bend Greenway led by Larry Pounds.
River Run Outfitters will provide several kayaks from 1 until 4 p.m. for short-term use on the Pellissippi Blueway.
GREBE (Graduate Students in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution) from the University of Tennessee will offer several children’s activities and projects.
What would you like to have at the future state park? Do you have a good name for it?
Visitors to the event will get opportunities to give feedback on plans for Clark Center Park to become a Tennessee state park. A large display of the draft design will be posted and ways for comments to be shared will be provided.