Tennessee's national parks in need of $294 million maintenance [View all]

Nancy and Reese Conway's trip to Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park last week embodied the economic benefit that park advocates tout.

They came from upper East Tennessee, primarily to indulge their interest in Civil War history by visiting the battlefield. They stayed at a downtown hotel, spent money on food and visited other attractions.

"The battlefield is the biggest reason we came," Reese Conway said. "We're going to do some other things, too, but me and my wife both wanted to see the battlefield."

The park, which includes the battlefield, Lookout Mountain's Point Park and four other, smaller parcels in the city, generates $63 million annually for the local economy, according to the National Park Service.

Read more: http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2016/aug/28/tennessees-national-parks-have-294-millimaint/383539/