NPS

Stennis R. Young, Superintendent of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

I would like to welcome you to the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and I hope that your visit here will be enjoyable and educational. I feel like a visitor also, since I recently transferred to Big South Fork from the Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi. In the short time that I have been here I have been impressed with the beauty and diversity of the Big South Fork.  I have also been impressed with the dedicated staff here at the Park.  It is evident that they take tremendous pride in what they do. In the next few months I look forward to becoming better acquainted with the land and the people of the area.

The National Area continues to grow and change as the years go by.  In 2008 the National Area continued to implement the General Management Plan.   This plan provides guidance for current and future managers in areas of development and change.  A good example of this implementation strategy is the multiple use trail concept on Fork Ridge and Terry Cemetery roads.   The GMP outlines a gradual transition of these travel ways from a two lane gravel road to a multiple use trail.  Multiple use trails are narrow dirt paths that allow motorized vehicle and equestrian travel on the same route.  On both Fork Ridge and Terry Cemetery roads restrictions have been put into place that will reduce their size from a two lane road to a narrow, multiple use trail.  In time, these trails will have a more natural appearance as vegetation closes in.  They will become more like paths through the woods rather than the large gravel roads they were in the past.  This will provide visitors with an experience more in keeping with the natural surroundings. 

Other areas where changes have been implemented include Maude’s Crack Overlook and Bronco Overlook.  In the past horses were allowed to travel the narrow ridge to the overlook above No Business Creek.  It was realized that damage was occurring to this environmentally sensitive area.  Following recommendations contained in the GMP a gate was installed near Terry Cemetery to limit use to foot traffic only. The Bronco Overlook Trail was closed to motor vehicle traffic to allow for horse and hiking use only. These changes are consistent with the General Management Plan.

Hardened stream crossings are an example of how implementation of the General Management Plan benefits the environment and National Area users.  These fords allow for safer and easier stream crossing for both horses and people.  In addition, the crossings reduce erosion and protect the aquatic ecosystem in these areas.  Station Camp crossing is one example of improvements to both a trail and a river crossing.  Special concrete blocks were placed on the trail approaches to the river crossing to reduce erosion and alleviate muddy conditions.  Large rocks were placed in the river to guide horseback riders across the river and protect the many endangered mussels and fish that live in this diverse biosphere.   As you experience the National Area, you will continue to see improvements to several other trails and parking areas in accordance with the General Management Plan. 

We hope you will enjoy this beautiful place and some of the new and improved facilities in place for you at Big South Fork NRRA.  You are invited to traverse the wide expanse of the park and see all the wonders that it holds just as I will be doing as I learn about my new home. 

Stennis R. Young
Superintendent