History, Beauty, Recreation Come Together at Montgomery Bell State Park
activities, beauty, chief magnet, history, lake acorn, montgomery bell state park, recreation,
When Montgomery Bell left Pennsylvania for the rolling hills of Dickson County in the early days of the 19th century‚ it was the state’s rich deposit of iron ore that lured him.
Today‚ when hundreds of thousands visit the park named after Bell‚ it is the grounds’ history‚ natural beauty and recreational opportunities being mined. Of Tennessee’s extensive state park system‚ Montgomery Bell State Resort Park is one of its gems. In 2003‚ more than 750‚000 visitors took advantage of all the park has to offer. “We have the historical significance‚ the recreational opportunities and the natural beauty of the western edge of the Highland Plateau‚” Park Manager Pat Wright says. “We have just about everything that encompasses a state park.”
Located seven miles east of Dickson‚ Montgomery Bell offers almost 4‚000 acres of parkland. Three lakes‚ all prime spots for fishing‚ make up another 80 acres and provide seasonal boating and swimming opportunities. Hike and bike trails stretch across the park’s campus‚ and softball diamonds and basketball and tennis courts dot the landscape.
For overnight guests‚ the park’s hotel boasts a full-service restaurant overlooking Lake Acorn‚ a workout room‚ laundry room‚ indoor and outdoor pools and hot tub.
The adjoining‚ 6‚000-square-foot conference center seats up to 400 guests‚ and is a frequent destination for corporate retreats‚ church meetings and wedding receptions.
The reception is just the second half of the wedding equation. Many couples take advantage of the park for the complete wedding package‚ beginning with a picturesque ceremony at the park’s chapel. The small chapel‚ owned by Cumberland Presbyterian Church‚ is a log house with granite tile floors and stained glass windows.
“It’s such a natural‚ primitive beauty‚ you don’t need a lot of decoration in it for a wedding‚” says Pam Barfield‚ hospitality manager for the inn and conference center. “It’s just gorgeous.”
While some families get a start at Montgomery Bell‚ established clans find it a perfect place to reunite. The park is a popular site for family reunions‚ fueled in equal parts by its offerings and its convenient location.
“People find we’re so centrally located for them‚” Barfield says.
That easy access is also a factor in the popularity of the resort’s 18-hole championship golf course. Open year-round‚ the 6‚500-yard course gets ample play from weather-weary northern golfers‚ while its affordable greens fees make it attractive to local golfers as well. Altogether‚ about 35‚000 rounds per year are played at the course‚ including the Dogwood Classic‚ held each spring.
Built in 1973‚ the course has been recognized in past years as one of the Top 100 Public Courses to Play by Golf Digest.
The chief magnet is its beauty‚ says head professional Darrell Hartsville.
“It’s real scenic. There’s a lot of wildlife in a hardwood setting‚” Hartsville says.
All of this activity generates a tremendous amount of revenue for the state. The park collected more than $3 million in revenue in the 2002-03 year‚ says Charles Brewton‚ marketing manager for Tennessee State Parks.
And the park employs 175 from the community.
But that money is only part of the bounty. Those tourists also spend a considerable amount in Dickson County’s restaurants‚ shops and for attractions‚ says Dickson County Chamber of Commerce President David Hamilton.
Hamilton says the community is blessed to have such a facility in its backyard.
“From a quality-of-life standpoint‚ it’s a great opportunity for local citizens to come and enjoy‚” he says. “And from our standpoint‚ it’s a great draw for visitors coming into the community.”
Story by Dan Markham
Photo by Greg Emens
