Mayor Craig Ford said Gadsden purchased 20 additional acres, with city-council approval, for an expansion of a campground project that will include glamping and primitive camping.

"We purchased 20 additional acres, with the council's approval connected to the falls," Ford said. He described plans for "glamping, not familiar what that is... it's something to be really nice in a tent," alongside primitive camping intended to remain affordable for local users.

Ford addressed questions about tree clearing at the site, saying engineers, landscape architects and the general contractor recommended clearing to create a stable construction footprint. He said the city will replant only hardwoods and compared the approach to work done at Guntersville State Park: "They went in and had to just had to wipe out the whole thing, make a blank canvas, and then they came back with trees, and 2 years later, the trees were there."

Ford said the removal aimed to avoid falling pines becoming hazards to campers and that the area also includes a pool and other amenities the city plans to develop. He announced free admission and guided tours on an upcoming ribbon-cutting day for the park area and said golf carts will show visitors around the improvements.