Another TN state park where the riding is good

Cabins go green at TN's David Crockett State Park

Lawrenceville-area park will save energy and water

Seven new,http://tn.gov/environment/parks/DavidCrockettSP/gallery/index.shtml"> energy-efficient cabins sporting cork flooring and native plant landscaping have been unveiled at David Crockett State Park in Lawenceburg, TN, about 80 miles southwest of Nashville.

The cabins and the park’s 1,974-square-foot restaurant will be heated and cooled with the help of a geothermal system, that takes advantage of the stable temperature underground.

The system will produce free hot water in the summer and is expected to reduce the cost of heating and cooling in the park’s buildings by 40-60 percent, while reducing energy-driven pollution.

Other new designs and technologies focus on pollution prevention, children’s health and stormwater management, officials say.

“These contemporary, LEED cabins further demonstrate Tennessee State Parks’ commitment to ensure our visitors enjoy outstanding accommodations, while leaving a lighter footprint on our natural resources,” said Jim Fyke, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner.

“The Green Cabin project included the talents and expertise of a number of individuals and we are very appreciative of their hard work and dedication.”

The cabins are expected to receive silver certification as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) project, the first of their kind in a Tennessee State Park.

Fyke was among several state and local officials at an unveiling ceremony today.

The cabins are available for rental beginning June 14. Call the park at (931) 762-9408 for reservations. www.tnstateparks.com/greenvillas">More info on the cabins is available as is www.tnstateparks.com/DavidCrockettSP">more info on the park.

The cabins, according to the state announcement, also include use of pervious concrete in parking areas to help manage automotive fluids and stormwater; ENERGY STAR and LEED-certified insulation, lighting and windows; cork flooring; recycled plastic decking; low-flow plumbing fixtures; radon restraint construction; native plants and low-maintenance trees for landscaping; low volatile organic compound paints; concrete and recycled coal ash exterior siding; and rain gardens to also help manage stormwater.

David Crockett’s greened cabins bring the total of Tennessee State Parks’ environmentally friendly-designed accommodations to 15 – joining Montgomery Bell State Park’s eight energy efficient villas, that debuted last October.

Funding for the seven new Green Cabins was made available through a $2.5 million capital project in fiscal year 2005-2006, including design, total construction costs, furnishings and fixtures.

State provided background:
David Crockett State Park, 1400 West Gaines, just off of Highway 64, one half-mile west of Lawrenceburg, was named for the pioneer, soldier, politician and industrialist born near Limestone, Tenn. in 1786.

Crockett moved to Lawrence County in 1817 and served as a justice of the peace, a colonel of the militia and as a state representative.

Along the banks of Shoal Creek, he established a diversified industry consisting of a powdermill, gristmill and distillery – losing all three operations to a flood in 1821.

Financial difficulties from these losses prompted Crockett to move to West Tennessee, where he was elected to Congress. Crockett died at the Alamo Mission in March 1836, while aiding the Texans in their fight for independence from Mexico.

- ANNE PAINE

From the Tennessean 6/7/2010

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