Cohen Announces $466K for T.O. Fuller State Park Nature Center

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN-9) today announced that the U.S. National Park Service has awarded T.O. Fuller State Park a Land and Water Conservation grant worth $466,527 for the development of a Nature/Interpretative Center. The new federal funding will be distributed by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

“T.O. Fuller State Park is one of the most unique parks in the country,” said Congressman Cohen. “It began as a park built for African-Americans and has become one of the most beautiful, historic, engaging, relaxing parks nationwide. It is important to protect and preserve our national parks so families can escape city life and relax in the serenity of their natural surroundings. These new federal funds will help construct a new Nature/Interpretive Center that Memphians can enjoy for generations to come.”

T.O. Fuller State Park is located in Memphis and consists of 1,138 acres. It is the only state park located within Memphis city limits. The park is named in honor of Dr. Thomas O. Fuller, who spent his life empowering and educating African-Americans. The park facilities were originally built for the use of African-Americans in the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). During excavation for a proposed swimming pool in 1940, CCC workers unearthed evidence of a prehistoric village. The site has since been developed as Chucalissa Indian Village, and includes a village, preserved archeological excavations, and the C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s mission is to protect the state’s environment, reduce environmental health concerns and manage the state’s parks. The department manages the protection of more than 185,000 acres of land in Tennessee, including 53 state parks, 81 natural areas, historic landmarks and the Tennessee Golf Trail. These natural areas attract more than 25 million visitors a year and provide much needed revenue for local businesses. These new federal funds will provide the necessary resources for the construction of a Nature/Interpretative Center, an access road and parking. The new nature center will allow visitors to observe unique flora, fauna, wetlands and important cultural and historical artifacts.