Trail Friends Initiative
The Friends of South Cumberland State Parks, in conjunction with our park managers and rangers, have implemented a volunteer program, called Trail Friends, at five popular trailheads in the parks.
Trail Friends are stationed at these trailheads during periods of high visitor traffic to welcome hikers, provide information and answer questions about the trails.
Since implementation, Trail Friends have assisted thousands of park visitors with information about the special attractions in the parks, the range and specifics of what is here, and about critical safe behaviors. Fall Season 2022 marked the beginning of the sixth year of service to the park.
In Savage Gulf State Park, trailheads Trail Friends typically staff include Savage Gulf North (Stone Door) in the Beersheba area; Savage Gulf West (Greeter Falls), near Altamont; Savage Gulf East (Savage Falls). In South Cumberland State Park, Trail Friends typically staff Fiery Gizzard North (Grundy Forest), in Tracy City; and Fiery Gizzard South (Foster Falls), between Tracy City and Jasper.
In Savage Gulf State Park, trailheads Trail Friends typically staff include Savage Gulf North (Stone Door) in the Beersheba area; Savage Gulf West (Greeter Falls), near Altamont; Savage Gulf East (Savage Falls). In South Cumberland State Park, Trail Friends typically staff Fiery Gizzard North (Grundy Forest), in Tracy City; and Fiery Gizzard South (Foster Falls), between Tracy City and Jasper.
The Friends are looking for volunteers to help us out at the Parks' most popular trailheads!
The Friends are looking for people who want to become knowledgeable about the most popular trails in South Cumberland and Savage Gulf State Parks. Trail Friends volunteers are expected to have a working knowledge of the trail to which they’re assigned, including park rules, trail features and current conditions, where to obtain trail maps, etc. In order to serve as a Trail Friend, each volunteer is expected to complete an online curriculum, meet with a Park Ranger, and shadow a fellow Trail Friend on a couple of shifts.
Volunteers are generally needed from 8 am to 4 pm on weekends and holidays, during peak Park visitation periods. Volunteers sign up on the Tennessee State Parks volunteer website (Galaxy Digital) to work at the trailhead of their choice, at times and on days of their choosing. Trail Friends volunteers wear identifying apparel and identification badges; and set out signage at the trailhead so park visitors know that the Trail Friends are there to help.
The Friends are looking for people who want to become knowledgeable about the most popular trails in South Cumberland and Savage Gulf State Parks. Trail Friends volunteers are expected to have a working knowledge of the trail to which they’re assigned, including park rules, trail features and current conditions, where to obtain trail maps, etc. In order to serve as a Trail Friend, each volunteer is expected to complete an online curriculum, meet with a Park Ranger, and shadow a fellow Trail Friend on a couple of shifts.
Volunteers are generally needed from 8 am to 4 pm on weekends and holidays, during peak Park visitation periods. Volunteers sign up on the Tennessee State Parks volunteer website (Galaxy Digital) to work at the trailhead of their choice, at times and on days of their choosing. Trail Friends volunteers wear identifying apparel and identification badges; and set out signage at the trailhead so park visitors know that the Trail Friends are there to help.
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Each trailhead needs at least one Trail Friend volunteer per shift; at our busiest trails, two are even better. Volunteers can either station themselves at the trailhead to help visitors as they come by, or choose to walk that trail and assist visitors they encounter along the way.
The Park Managers and Rangers have credited Trail Friends with helping prevent potentially serious injuries by providing visitors with information on hazards and promptly notifying the Rangers when their intervention is needed. In one case, when notified by a Trail Friend, a Ranger was able to prevent an individual from trying to kayak over Greeter Falls, which could have resulted in serious or fatal injury. Our Trail Friend volunteers receive a great deal of personal satisfaction in interacting with visitors to the park. Many visitors have not prepared for their hike and don’t have a trail map or understand the trail features, the need for appropriate clothing and footwear, or the length and difficulty of the trails. They are very appreciative when the Trail Friends politely make suggestions that enhance their experience. If you love spending time in the park and enjoy meeting people, this would be a great opportunity for you to be a goodwill ambassador for the Friends, and for the Park! To learn more about the Trail Friends program, please click on the button below. |
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