Environmental and educational implications of resort park development for Bledsoe and Van Buren counties of southeast Tennessee

This study examined the impact of the development of a resort park at Fall Creek Falls State Park in Bledsoe and Van Buren Counties of Southeastern Tennessee. Four areas of impact were studied and included the following: (l) Economic impact; (2) Educational, Political, and Social impact; (3) Land use impact; and (4) Park use impact.

The sample population involved forty respondents who were directly related to the Fall Creek Falls State Resort Park and included park and conservation officials, state and county officials, school officials, a group of professional persons and verification respondents. An interview technique was used to obtain primary data. Items contained in the interviews were developed and validated with the aid of professional persons representing a variety of agencies.

Findings 1. The results of this study indicated that interview respondents perceived the development of Fall Creek Falls State Resort Park as aiding some local businesses such as grocery stores and gasoline stations and also causing land values near the park to increase.

2. The study sample agreed that the park development has affected the local work force by providing competition to local textile plants.

3. Most school officials felt that economic benefits were limited in their overall effect.

4. Respondents tended to agree that the park development has not affected the amounts or types of crime in either Bledsoe or Van Buren Counties and that little conflict has arisen between local people and tourists or park personnel as a result of the resort park development.

5. There appears to have been little local school involvement at the park even though the quantity and quality of the interpretive programs of the park have improved since the development.

6. The average daily attendance of students for the two local school systems, local salary supplements to teachers, and school taxes have generally increased during the period of development of the resort park at Fall Creek Falls.

7. No new churches, civic organizations or trailer parks have been developed as a result of the resort park.

8. Few local jobs have been created by the resort park development.

9. Environmental damage as a result of resort park development has been held to a minimum.

l0. The number of visitors to Fall Creek Falls State Resort Park has been constantly increasing with the exception of the periods of 1973-74 and 1978-79.

vi 11. The number of staff professionals has been rising since 1967. Staff reductions have affected mainly nonprofessionals.

There appears to be the need for further investigations particularly in the areas of establishing stronger relationships between the resort park and other associated groups such as local educational and governmental officials.