Friends of the Smokies are providing funds to help keep the Great Smoky Mountains National Park open.
Sevier County announced Wednesday that it had reached an agreement to provide support to fully open the Great Smoky Mountains National Park through Oct. 19. Earlier the same groups provided a seven-day extension to reopen the park through Saturday after the federal government shutdown resulted in various parts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park being closed.
Friends of the Smokies — a group I fully support and endorse — is one of several partners providing support to help the park during the government shutdown. Others contributing financially to keep the park fully open are the State of Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Sevier County, Blount County, Cocke County, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and the cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Pittman Center.
Friends of the Smokies is a nonprofit partner of the national park funded by donations and specialty license plates. The annual Cades Cove Loop Lope 10-miler and 5K next month is a major fundraiser for Friends of the Smokies and one of my favorite road races.
“In special circumstances, such as the government shutdown, your support has put us in a position to step up for our beloved Smokies. We couldn’t do it without your help,” Friends of the Smokies said in a news release Wednesday.
The original agreement had the partners maintaining a two-day balance in the donation account at all times to ensure uninterrupted operations. The agreement remains in effect for 30 days from the date of final signature or until terminated in accordance with its provisions. The new agreement extends that to Oct. 19.
The local and state partners are committed to keeping the park open through the end of October. This agreement ensures that Great Smoky Mountains National Park will continue to welcome visitors with all facilities, roadways, visitor centers, restrooms, campgrounds, and trails operating as normal.
