Buchanan, Tenn.–For the second year in a row, Paris Landing State Park has won the statewide MY TN State Park fundraising contest for state parks with over 750,000 annual visitors. In the competition, state park enthusiasts could ‘vote’ for their favorite state parks and contribute funds at the same time.
Paris Landing State Park won last year’s competition in the category for over 750,000 visitors with $11,602 in contributions.
Tennessee is one of only seven states in the country to provide free access to its state parks. Last year, over 2,000 donors gave $111,875 to the parks.
Each park retains the funds donated for it, and the contributions will go toward projects identified by park staff as ideal. Funds from last year’s competition went toward items as varied as trail bridges, a telescope, beekeeping equipment, and removing acres of privet.
The other winning parks this year: Group 2 (350,000 to 750,000 annual visitors), South Cumberland State Park; and Group 3 (up to 350,000 visitors), Frozen Head State Park.
Each dollar donated to the state park of choice counted as one vote for that park.
Photo: Sunset at Paris Landing Marina. Photo by Shannon McFarlin.