A group of federal employees who volunteer as the Help the Smokies team continued their 18-year tradition of stewardship in Great Smoky Mountains National Park by renovating 26 campsites at Cosby Campground in Tennessee, the Cherokee (N.C.) One Feather reported.
Volunteers from the Y-12 National Security Complex and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have donated more than 14,000 hours of service to the park including more than 300 hours this year.
Volunteers elevated, leveled, and reset 31 picnic tables using more than 85 tons of gravel in 26 different campsites. The team also repaired campfire rings at the campsites. In addition to their work in the campground, the team replaced several picnic tables in the Cosby Picnic Pavilion.
“Through this unique partnership, we have been able to accomplish a variety of complex projects pairing their highly skilled volunteers with our park staff,” said Clayton Jordan, the park’s acting superintendent. “We appreciate their ongoing support which allows us to better care for facilities serving thousands of visitors annually.”
For the full story, click here.
