Haslam gives up on parks privatization

The Inn at Fall Creek Falls

The state parks will not be outsourced — at least, not in the next 16 months.

At a hearing Thursday morning, Bob Martineau, the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, announced that his agency has given up on plans to bring in an outside company to run the hospitality and concessions operations at Fall Creek Falls. He also said no similar plans would be initiated at any other state parks.