About the Friends of Cumberland Mountain
Mission Statement: Friends of Cumberland Mountain State Park (FSMCP), Inc is a 501c3 nonprofit that exists to preserve and improve the park. All our revenues are used to support the exhibits, programs, education and cultural conservation projects of our local state park. Together with park staff we work to promote and increase public interest in and enjoyment of the park. We typically provide $20,000 in support/year.
The friends group allows members to give something back to the park that will last a lifetime – a treasured gift for your children and generations to come. Become a part of Cumberland Mountain State Park Friends Group and help us work to promote and increase public interest in the park, assist in activities such as trail work and design, provide exhibits, and much more.
Cumberland Mountain State Park Friends Group Board of Directors
Connie Bowman – President
Secretary – Laurie Snyder
Treasurer – Laurie Snyder
Website Editor – Monica Johnson
Board Members – Connie Bowman, Cameron Sexton, Linda Frazier, Rhonda McCusition, Laurie Snyder, Jenna Brownfield
Completed Projects:
Since we became a nonprofit in 2004, we have:
* Built an aviary in 2016 which holds 4 raptors, have plans to add two more cages when we get state approval 2024, and provided for the bird’s food and equipment with the help of community bird lovers.
* Planted and maintain an official Monarch Waystation, behind the park office. Together with the park we provide for the park’s beehives and equipment and the Fall Decorations at the office and restaurant.
* Provided the name labels for plants in the various planters at the park.
* Renovated the 16 Civilian Conservation Corp picnic tables.
* Supported Chestnut Tree reforestation with a state-run Native Chestnut Trees program. Two are also planted below the office now.
* Provided and supported educational programs like Wings to Soar, NHECM/ Animalogy animal program, scuba dive classes, Jr Ranger Camps, Wonder of Monarchs and Milkweed (2nd annual date 9/9/2023) and a Christmas Toy Drive (date 12/2/2023).
* Provided family recreational events like Kite Day and supported Trunk or Treat at Halloween.
* Purchased equipment for recreation such as pedal boats and batteries for fishing boats, and trail bridges and park grills.
* Purchased health and safety items like defibrillators and water bottle filling stations.
* Purchased a 6′ bronze Civilian Conservation Corp statue
* Volunteer Electric Cooperative granted the Friends Group 1,200 dollars to replace the old tables in the Recreation Lodge.
* In 2014, Park Ranger Monica Johnson applied for the Department of Health Diabetes Grant in which we received. The grant was a two year grant, that gave us 15,000 dollars for 2014 and 2015. The grant was written to purchase new boating equipment at our boat dock, and to encourage exercise through boating activities. The Friends Group was able to purchase kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, PFD’s, paddles, replacement parts, and a kayak/canoe trailer. The grant also allowed the Friends Group to hire one employee to work at the boat dock for one summer. The Friends Group was critical in acquiring this equipment by providing the funds immediately for each purchase. When a vendor could not wait for reimbursement by the State, the Friends Group could pay the invoice, and receive funds later.
* In 2014, Park Ranger Monica Johnson had vision and dream to build an aviary for the park’s injured/educational birds, but needed the funds to do it. The Friends Group helped raise over 10,000 dollars to fund the project. This project was successful due to Aden Mathis (Eagle Scout), Park Ranger Monica Johnson, Friends Group fundraisers, volunteers, and generous donations from locals and people from surrounding counties. We have since contributed four months food supply for the aviary birds; 1,200 dollars worth of food with that amount growing as more donations come in.
* In 2012, the Friends Group alongside Cumberland Mountain State Park Ranger’s entered a Christmas float in the annual City of Crossville Christmas parade. The Friends Group won 1st place for best decorated non-profit organization float, and received 100 dollars.
FCSMP have purchased with membership and firewood/ t shirts/ post cards sales monies:
2022-2023 – Aviary food, Trunk or Treat candy, Wonder of Monarchs and Milkweed educational event, Kite Day kites and lunch, Wings to Soar educational program, Natural History Education animal program
2021-2022 – Aviary food, park grills, 16 CCC picnic table renovations with Thompson Family Reunion manpower, MTNG grant $800 for trail bridges, pressure washer, kites, bee hive supplies, Trunk or Treat Candy, plant signs/stakes, Monarch Waystation plants
2020-2021 – The Friends Group purchased the electric mower in an effort to help the park GO Green. Aviary food, pedal boats, park grills, and boat batteries.
2019-2020 – Aviary food, Installed a Certified Monarch Waystation to help repopulate the Monarch butterflies, Planted Chestnut Trees, park grills and defibrillators, 2 water bottle refill stations, Trunk or Treat candy, Wings to Soar program
2019-2020 (total park support $19,304) Aviary food, bird travel cages/supplies, aviary refrigerator, Wings to Soar program, fall decorations, ADA trail bench, TN Environ. Council chestnut trees, Monarch butterfly Waystation, kites, scuba diving class supplies, BBQ grills, heart defibrillators etc.
2018-2019 (total park support $11,642) Bird travel cages, blinds for the aviary cages, bird feeder seed and aviary food, fall decorations, a trail bridge, DVD players for cabins, Wings to Soar program etc.
2006-2017
* Bird cages
* Fishing boat motors, batteries, and life jackets for the boat dock area
* Fall decorations
* Christmas lights for the CCC bridge
* Bird seed for the feeder below the park restaurant
* DVD players for the cabins
* Movie screen at the amphitheater
* Historic Marker by the CCC bridge
* Wood border around the playgrounds
* TV & DVD player at the restaurant
* Leaf blower & chainsaw backpack for maintenance
* Framing for historic pictures display at the restaurant
* Sports equipment for tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts
* Craft supplies for summer programs
Programs Supported by FCMSP
Family-oriented events are a major source of our donations, along with wood sales and membership fees. Funding and/or volunteers are provided for the following:
* Wings to Soar & NHECM – educational bird and animal programs – Friends Group provide funding
* Kite Day – Friends Group Event – Members/Volunteers assist Park staff
* Junior Ranger Camps and July 4th activities – Friends Group provides funding
* Trunk or Treat – Friends Group hotdog fundraiser dinner – Members/Volunteers
* Christmas on the Plateau – Members/volunteers provide cookies and hot chocolate