State parks and White County discuss paving Scotts Gulf Road and park investments at Virgin Falls
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Summary
A state parks official outlined long-term plans at Virgin Falls and said the state has invested about $17 million in the area; commissioners discussed paving Scotts Gulf Road and whether to use county tourism funds or seek state takeover and matching partnerships.
A representative from Tennessee State Parks (identified in the meeting as Stewart) told White County commissioners that the Virgin Falls area has been a public attraction for decades and that the state’s investment in the park project is "around $17,000,000." Stewart described plans for restroom facilities, a maintenance building and a visitor or business center to be determined.
County discussion centered on paving Scotts Gulf Road, a gravel county road that leads to Virgin Falls’ parking lot and Welch’s Point. Stewart said the park owns the road beyond the parking lot and the state is supportive of improving access and facilities. Commissioners debated whether to allocate local tourism funds, pursue a state partnership to take over the road after paving, or prioritize other county road projects instead. One commissioner noted prior paving of Cane Hollow Road had produced new outfitters and tourism activity.
No final funding commitment or formal agreement with the state was made during the meeting. Commissioners instructed staff and the subcommittee to gather additional bids and clarify what the state would consider funding or accepting for transfer of the road to state maintenance. Stewart distributed maps and said the state would continue planning work on Mitchell Ford, Dog Cove and the Virgin Falls parking-lot improvements.