NASHVILLE – Tennessee State Parks, in an effort to flatten the curve of COVID-19 while continuing to serve Tennesseans, is joining the CDC and the Tennessee Department of Health by encouraging residents not to travel, but to visit only their nearby parks. The park system is also announcing a series of operational changes effective March 26.

 “Our state parks are part of the fabric of Tennessee communities and have been an important place of renewal during this crisis,” Jim Bryson, deputy commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, said. “The measures announced today will continue to provide healthy outdoor spaces for Tennesseans while providing more protection for our neighbors and our staff. We can do our part to flatten the curve of COVID-19 while continuing to provide open spaces when our neighbors need it most.”

 Tennessee State Parks will transition to day-use schedules for all 56 state parks, opening daily from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. The new schedule goes into effect on March 26 and will be in place until at least April 10.

 During this period, all public gathering spaces such as visitor centers, shelters and playgrounds at state parks will be closed. Additionally, parks cabins, lodges and campgrounds close. Future reservations with arrival dates between now and April 9 will be canceled. The parks will waive cancellation fees during this time.

 Camps catering to large groups will be closed during the same period. Golf courses and clubhouses in the parks will also be closed. Parks events of greater than 10 people will be canceled or postponed, in accordance with Gov. Bill Lee’s Executive Order 17. All park-hosted events have been canceled through April 15. Restaurants, cafes and bars will remain closed until at least April 10.

 Along with the new schedules and closures, Tennessee State Parks strongly encourage guests to practice social distancing and follow guidelines for hygiene while visiting the parks. Limited restrooms and bath houses remain open that will be cleaned based on established cleaning protocols in the parks.

 Tennessee State Parks will continue to assess the implications of COVID-19 and will alert the public when dates are determined for the reopening of public facilities and overnight accommodations. For up to date information about Tennessee State Parks or your local park, Tennesseans are encouraged to visit the Tennessee State Parks website at tnstateparks.com and visit https://tnstateparks.com/about/keeping-visitors-healthy.

 TENNESSEE’S 2020 TURKEY SEASON WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS

NASHVILLE --- The 2020 spring turkey hunting season is set to be open for business in Tennessee beginning Saturday, April 4. Turkey hunting is an excellent way to keep social distance, enjoy the outdoors, and take part in a popular activity which has seen tremendous growth in recent years.

 The coronavirus outbreak has affected many aspects of normal life. Fortunately for the thousands of Tennesseans who head to the woods each spring in pursuit of the wily gamebird, the season will go on as scheduled through May 17. Conditions have forced a change in that turkey check stations at wildlife management areas will not be operational this year.

 “We are in extraordinary times that none of us have ever seen before,” said Ed Carter, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s executive director. “At TWRA, we have taken precautions while still providing essential services to the public and our resources. We are pleased that our spring turkey season will go on as scheduled as it adheres to guidelines of social distancing and other recommendations.”

 New requirement this year is “Tag Before You Drag” where hunters tag their big game animal in the field prior to moving. They will be able to use the TWRA on the Go app to simply E-tag and report their harvest in the field in one easy step, with or without cell phone service, prior to moving. If you do not have a phone, attach one of the temporary transportations tags that printed at the bottom of your license this year and you have until midnight on the same day of the harvest to check in online at GoOutdoorsTennessee.com.

 Spring turkey harvest numbers have been consistent for years in Tennessee. Last year’s harvest again hovered around the 30,000-mark with 28,967 turkeys taken across the state.

A hunting and fishing combination (Type 001), plus a supplemental big game license, or a sportsman license is required. More information on the 2020 spring turkey season can be found in the 2019-20 Tennessee Hunting & Trapping Guide. The guide is online at www.tnwildlife.org and available at TWRA offices and license agents.

 Maury County had 879 harvests to lead the state last year. Dickson County was second with 827 and Greene County third at 785. All but six of the state’s 95 counties had harvest of 100 or more.

 Hunting hours are 30 minutes prior to legal sunrise until legal sunset (times found based on your location in the TWRA On the Go app). Legal hunting equipment includes shotguns using ammunition loaded with No. 4 shot or smaller, longbows, recurve bows, compound bows, and crossbows.

Firearms and archery equipment may have sighting devices, except those devices utilizing an artificial light capable of locating wildlife.

  Doing Your Part To Flatten The Curve in Tennessee State Parks

Tennessee State Parks is working hard to keep parks open for day use so our visitors can enjoy the mental and physical benefits of the outdoors. We recognize that Tennesseeans are craving nature as an outlet during these times, and we want to provide some proactive steps everyone can take to do their part in flattening the curve while engaging our parks. Our goal is to protect the visitors, the communities where our parks are located, and our park staff. We want people to enjoy the healthy benefits of the outdoors, but we also need everyone to do their part to help slow the spread of the virus.

 Stay local. Now isn't the time to chase waterfalls or head out on a major adventure. We encourage everyone to see how they can get outdoors near their homes before heading out to a state park. If you do plan to venture out, try to visit the state park closest to your home. You can find out which state park is closest by using our park finder map. When people travel from far away to visit parks that feature waterfalls and overlooks, this causes overcrowding and inhibits social distancing. Please do your part to keep the crowds down and, in turn, flatten the curve by exploring options near your home first and then traveling to the closest state park to your home.

 If you're feeling sick, stay home. Please refrain from using parks or trails if you are exhibiting symptoms and follow CDC guidelines to avoid spreading the virus to others. 

• Do your part, stay apart. Share the trail and make your presence known. Make sure to call out before passing other hikers and keep six feet of distance. Refrain from crowding around natural features like waterfalls or overlooks. Also, please remember not to touch other hiker's dogs.

 Don't travel in groups. Don't carpool with people outside of your family or make plans to meet others at the park. 

 Avoid places of high use. If you arrive at a state park and find the parking lot is full, or if you see that a trail or park area is densely populated, we ask that you alter your plans. Some state parks will have limited capacity, especially those with waterfalls and overlooks (Burgess Falls, Cummins Falls, etc.), and some areas of our state parks might limit capacity. 

 Avoid high-risk adventures. We ask that you assess the trail you plan to hike thoroughly before heading out and avoid taking unnecessary risks.

 Be prepared for limited restrooms or water fountains. Many of our public facilities have been closed. Restrooms remain open but are limited to keep our staff safe. We ask that you consider this before leaving your home and always pack water.

 Practice CDC guidelines for personal hygiene. Clean your hands often, and with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow. 

 By taking these steps, we hope that we can help flatten the curve and play a small role in beating this virus. Thank you for supporting us during this time. We look forward to the day when we all beat this virus.

 For more information about adjusted hours, facility closures, overnight accommodation closures, and other ways we're addressed COVID-19 in our parks, please visit tnstateparks.com/about/keeping-visitors-healthy.