Displaying items by tag: jim matheny
Friday, 03 October 2025 18:11
Updated 10/9: Multiple entities extend funding to Great Smoky Mountains National Park for 10 days
The crest of the Great Smoky Mountains is seen from the Foothills Parkway looking east. Thomas Fraser/Hellbender PressLocal and state partners will continue funding $61,703.18 daily for 10 days during shutdown
Jim Matheny is Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park communications director.
GATLINBURG — Sevier County has announced a nine-day extension to the agreement that will keep Great Smoky Mountains National Park open and fully operational through Oct. 19. This extension is to the previously announced agreement that reopened the park Oct. 4 through Oct. 10.
Friends of the Smokies is among several partners that have provided support to fully open the park during the shutdown, including the state of Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Sevier County, Blount County, Cocke County, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and the cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville.
Friends of the Smokies is a nonprofit partner of the national park funded by generous donations and specialty license plates. It funds projects, programs, equipment, and staffing the national park cannot afford with its normal annual budget.
Friends of the Smokies is among several partners that have provided support to fully open the park during the shutdown, including the state of Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, Sevier County, Blount County, Cocke County, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and the cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville.
Friends of the Smokies is a nonprofit partner of the national park funded by generous donations and specialty license plates. It funds projects, programs, equipment, and staffing the national park cannot afford with its normal annual budget.
As always, check the park's Current Conditions page for the latest closures.
Published in
News
Tagged under
- government shutdown
- great smoky mountains national park
- friends of the smokies
- smokies funding
- smokies funding partnership
- is gsmnp closed?
- are the smokies closed?
- sevier county
- blount county
- state of tennessee
- is cades cove open
- government shutdown national parks
- gatlinburg
- smokies restrooms
- eastern band of cherokee indians
- jim matheny