The Upper Cumberland now has a level one arboretum, designated by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council.
County Soil and Water Conservationist Janet Dowlen said the Obed River Park arboretum gives residents the chance to learn about and experience nature. Dowlen said locals can observe the 45 labeled species of trees while walking through the park.
“We’re losing our spaces to have like plantings of trees,” Dowlen said. “And to be able to have trees with names on them and to have people walk, and, you know, do both of those things at the same time is a good activity for families, for you know anyone walking their dog, and I feel like that’s an activity everybody needs more of.”
Dowlen hopes to increase the level of the arboretum by increasing the number of trees planted and certified. The arboretum started in 2006, but certification lapsed due to weather and staff strains. Damaged or young trees cannot be considered arboretum specimens.
Dowlen said she hopes the arboretum can bring tourists to Crossville to tour the park and appreciate the city.
Dowlen said the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce supports the progress volunteers and Cumberland County Community Complex staff have made on the park.
“They really are happy to see us progress with this and that’s an aspect of Crossville that can only help people to know about the Obed River Park and be able to support it,” Dowlen said.
Dowlen said tourism is a significant draw to the city.
“That’s probably their main focus, and I know we’ve always been the golf capitol of Tennessee but I feel like there are these other aspects of Crossville that need to be, you know, pushed to the front,” Dowlen said. “You know, the nature aspect of it.”
Dowlen said the park has an outdoor classroom, which provides educational opportunities for the retired community and children. Dowlen said park classes run from April to October. Dowlen said she plans to put on more tree-related educational events next year. Dowlen said the community can learn from all aspects of the park.
Dowlen said the county does not have sufficient funding toward park employment. Dowlen said often volunteers help to address park work when the Cumberland County Community Complex is understaffed.
“They do a lot of, you know, events at the Complex,” Dowlen said. “And then the park is kind of getting left to oh we don’t have time for that today. But I have really come in with some of my volunteers that I have accumulated through my outdoor classroom and to be able to been able to have people come and just assist.”
Dowlen said the Urban Forestry Council supported Crossville through the certification process. Dowlen said the Urban Forestry Council organized Crossville’s Tree Board.
