For the purposes of the department of environment and conservation, “park” means and includes any and all areas of land heretofore or hereafter acquired by the state, which by reason of having natural and historic features, scenic beauty or location, possess natural or potential physical, aesthetic, scientific, creative, social or other recreational values, and are […]
Every park under this part shall be preserved in a natural condition so far as may be consistent with its human use and safety, and all improvements shall be of such character as not to lessen its inherent recreational value.
All parks, monuments and other areas used primarily for recreational purposes shall be properly classified under the supervision of the department of environment and conservation, and the department shall, upon approval of the classification, designate the areas comprising the state park system, the state park system to be administered through a division of parks and […]
The state, counties, municipalities, and all political subdivisions of Tennessee are empowered to cooperate with each other, and with other states, and with the United States government, or any agency thereof, in planning, establishing, improving, or maintaining any park or other recreational area or monument.
In the acquisition of sites or boundaries of land for parks to be used for any one (1) or more of the purposes recited in this part, the state is authorized to exercise the power of eminent domain when the governor so orders.
Every county, municipality, and other political subdivision of this state is empowered to expend money from available sources to aid in the purchase of areas within the county, municipality or political subdivision for park purposes within the meaning of this part, the park to become the property of the state, to be improved, cared for […]
The division of parks and recreation is authorized to employ a suitable number of persons as park rangers, ranger naturalists, park managers and in other positions, however designated or named, having qualifications established by the division of parks and recreation, and approved by the department of human resources. They will manage and supervise the operation […]
The department of environment and conservation is authorized to sell certain tracts of land which are surplus to the needs and benefit of the state of Tennessee, and now being used for state park purposes. The land shall be sold only upon authorization of the national park service, department of interior, and under such terms […]
Upon receipt of such authorization and terms and conditions from the national park service, the commissioner of environment and conservation is hereby authorized to execute a deed on behalf of the state of Tennessee, transferring and conveying whatever interest the state of Tennessee might have in the tract of land. The deed of conveyance shall […]
All funds received from any of such sales of land shall be invested in capital improvements in that particular state park from which the sale was made.
The commissioner of environment and conservation, with the approval of the state building commission and attorney general and reporter, may enter into lease agreements for the operation of existing facilities and the development, construction, and operation of new facilities on lands under the control or supervision of the department of environment and conservation where the […]
Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the commissioner of environment and conservation has the authority to cause to be purchased and to develop the method for purchasing, without the approval of any other agency of state government, services, raw materials, merchandise for resale, supplies and equipment necessary for provision of quality services for state park […]
If the golf course is located in a state park, but operated by a municipal or county government agency under contract with the department of environment and conservation, the department shall reimburse the operating agency for any green fees waived under [former] § 11-3-112 [repealed] and this section.
The commissioner of environment and conservation shall prohibit the forestry practice of clear-cutting in all state parks. The department of environment and conservation shall not conduct clear-cutting operations in such parks, nor permit any other person or lessee to conduct clear-cutting operations in such parks. Notwithstanding subsection (a), clear-cutting may be permitted in state parks […]
No individual shall be disqualified from having a park named in dedication to the individual based solely on the fact that the individual is not deceased.
The commissioner shall offer discounted rates for activities at the state parks to senior citizens, disabled persons, state employees, members of the Tennessee national guard, and any other group that the commissioner deems appropriate for such treatment. The specific activities where these discounts would apply as well as the timing and amount will be left […]
In state parks, a golf cart, as defined by § 55-1-123, may only be driven on golf courses in accordance with state park rules and policies and on the paved roads within the campgrounds, subject to regulation by state parks to protect public safety. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the department of environment and […]
The department of environment and conservation is encouraged to maintain the state park system in a manner that is conducive to use by all persons and that provides such persons with easy access to all public areas within the parks.
