Dover, Tenn. – Despite what has been an extended delay in completion of a Visitor Center remodeling project at Fort Donelson National Battlefield, the national park is moving forward to reopen a large part of a fenced off area for the purpose of visitor access, use, and enjoyment.
Park Superintendent Brian McCutchen has directed the six-foot tall, chain-link fence, which was placed to seal off the park’s largest parking area for intended staging of construction equipment and materials, be relocated much closer to the Visitor Center, providing for much needed parking for those wishing to access and explore the battlefield via hiking on trails, or walking alongside of park roads.
While the remodelling has been ongoing, the staff has been utilizing the Stewart Co. Visitor Center for its offices.
According to McCutchen, “While we await to be advised of a continuation date for on-site construction, it is appropriate to proactively return this needed parking area to public access and use. When construction resumes, a portion, if not all, of the parking area may need to be closed again, but in the interim, let’s make full use of-this convenient and much missed parking and trail access point.”
Weather permitting, Fort Donelson staff will begin relocating the fencing this week, providing an estimated 20 parking spots, and allowing for visitors to have safe and convenient access to the park road system,
The park grounds are open to pedestrians from sunrise until sunset, daily, with gates for the road system being open from 8:00am until 6:00pm, during the spring time of year.
According to McCutchen, “While we are disappointed that construction has yet to resume, we are optimistic that we will see such coming. In the meantime, we are making efforts to reopen a significant access area, allowing for safe and convenient parking and pedestrian access to the park’s many miles of trails and roads; resources that visitors, both local, and from around the world, experience as they explore the battlefield.”
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