Pickett State Forest says their recent efforts have made a difference in limiting damage caused by off-road vehicles.
The forest closed the northwest portion for several months to repair severely damaged roads. Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry Communications Leader Megan Carpenter said the roads are in as good condition as they have been in years past. Carpenter said making Yellow Doors Road and Redmond Rim Road seasonal roads has really helped.
“We get so much rain during the wintertime,” Carpenter said. “We take a four-wheeler in there, and it is really easy to cause damage. And so we decided, you know, we can keep it open for deer hunting season, we can keep it open for the summer, but if we close it down during that short period of time, we can help minimize the damage that is created.”
Carpenter also said road improvements with more supportive gravel have also contributed to limiting damage. Carpenter said she believes that the public is also being more mindful and taking care of the park while having fun.
“I think people feel a kind of sense of ownership over public land, which is a really good thing,” Carpenter said. “And the more people know, the more likely they are to you know, be more supportive of conservation efforts. So you know, our hope is always that as people learn about what is happening and our efforts to continue managing the forest and protecting the resources that belong to the people of Tennessee.”
Carpenter said other parks in the Upper Cumberland use gates to close roads seasonally. Carpenter advises people to be mindful of the gates.
“If you are out in the forest and you see a gate that is closed, that is an indication that you should not be going there, not on a motorized vehicle,” Carpenter said. “We put up those gates as a way to help signal that you can ride this far but no further.”
Carpenter said the forest has a website that shows which roads are open and closed and which roads are for motorized vehicles. Carpenter said the division of forestry has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to help monitor land that the department has located next to five other state parks. Carpenter said she hopes these efforts will continue to fortify the message to the public.