<< Back 7/17/02 Park unveils planning initiaves for Cades Cove, Townsend-Tuckaleechee Cove SMN The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in partnership with the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), has begun two separate but companion planning initiatives. These are the Cades Cove Opportunities Plan and the Townsend-Tuckaleechee Cove Gateway Strategies Plan. Separate public meetings have been scheduled in July for these two projects when draft goals and objectives will be presented to the public for their input. Public meetings for the Cades Cove Opportunities Plan are set for 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 22 in Knoxville at the Candy Factory, 6th Floor, 1060 World’s Fair Park Drive and July 23 in Townsend at the Townsend Elementary School, 140 Tiger Drive. The agenda includes an overview of the issues and concerns that were presented and discussed at a public meeting May 23; a presentation of proposed goals and objectives; and small group “break out” sessions for more in-depth discussion among the audience, NPS and TPO staff, and consultants. The goals and objectives now being developed will set the standards by which the ultimate success of the management plan for Cades Cove will be based. The plan for the long-range management of Cades Cove will help define the desired visitor experience in Cades Cove. The planning process is expected to be complete in Spring 2003, and will result in a range of draft alternatives that address visitor use, resource management, access and infrastructure. Southern Appalachian Mountain Initiative and the Tennessee Department of Transportation have provided funding to support this project. Interested persons can submit comments and obtain updated information and dates of future meetings at the project website, www.cadescoveopp.com. A public meeting for the Townsend-Tuckaleechee Cove Gateway Strategies Plan will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 25. The meeting will be held at Townsend Elementary School, 140 Tiger Drive, Townsend. The National Park Foundation (NPF) provided the funding to initiate this gateway community transportation planning initiative through a grant from the Ford Motor Company. Working with a nine-member task force from Blount County, City of Townsend and Tuckaleechee Cove Advisory Board, the National Park Service and TPO are developing goals, objectives and strategies related to transportation and land use. These will articulate a vision for the Tuckaleechee Cove area that reflects past planning efforts, recent transportation projects and visioning statements in the draft Townsend-Tuckaleechee Cove Development Plan. The July meeting is the first of several public meetings. The National Park Service recognizes that projects undertaken within park boundaries can impact gateway communities. Through the Cades Cove Opportunities Plan the Park hopes to develop a range of alternatives that provide a comprehensive, long-range approach for managing Cades Cove. These alternatives will have the potential to influence travel patterns within the Townsend-Tuckaleechee gateway communities. Through the Townsend-Tuckaleechee Gateway Strategies Plan, mutually beneficial solutions for protecting and enhancing the visitor experience to the area will be identified. Everyone is invited to attend and provide comments. For more information, contact the Office of Public Affairs at 865.436.1208.