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CV: What’s been your favorite part of being superintendent so far?
CC: Being able to get my message out about the next hundred years! People want to hear about my goals and my passions. I have been in government service for 23 years now, and I think that I have a message that is of value to young people and about what this park can be. The Smokies is the most visited park— but that’s not necessarily success to me. I think to have the most visitors—and also to make sure the resources are around for the next 100 years: That’s success to me. What does the second century of service look like for us? The Park Service is a very traditional organization—and we hold tight to what the Park Service experience should be—but we have to hand the arrowhead over to the next generation and let each individual define their own park experience rather than being too prescriptive. “Find Your Park” is the centennial theme—and that has really given us a good platform to have deep discussions about the next century in our national parks.
CV: What do you see for the future of the park?
CC: I see this park being more inclusive. What can we do to allow nontraditional users of this to create memories? We’re going to be relevant. When you look at the age range of people that visit national parks, it’s more of the baby boomers that are getting that last run while they’re
still able bodied, to go out and revisit and relive childhood memories. For Generation X, millennials—there’s work to be done.
CV: What are your plans for the centennial?
CC: We’re looking at having the Knoxville Symphony perform at Cades Cove. We’re also looking at having footraces on the North Carolina side and the Tennessee side—but we want to do something a little bit different other than having people just running and getting in their car and going home sweaty. What’s going to be most
important for me is not just that we
do new things, but how we work with communities so that we are embracing and inclusive.
CV: Taking chances seems to be a big part of your success. Do you have any advice for someone who’s trying to make that leap of faith but can’t quite make it?
CC: I have a saying. In order for me to pack up my bags and go to Washington state, I had to say, “Let the curiosity of success overwhelm the fear of failure.” Your soul has to say, “Okay, I’m going
to take a chance.” You’re not growing when you’re comfortable. You’re growing when you’re uncomfortable. That’s what I’ve learned. That’s why I didn’t mind going to Nebraska or all the places that most folks wouldn’t go to. I wanted the experience, and I wanted to see who I was about. I tell you, the gifts I’ve gotten back from the communities, it’s made me more of a whole person.
Christine Copelan is the associate editor of Cityview.
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Friends with Hart
When Chief Justice Gary Wade and architect Tom Trotter hiked the Smokies’ Mount Cammerer in 1990, only to find its fire tower in disrepair, they knew action needed to be taken—and Friends of the Smokies was created in 1993. The organization, now under the leadership of Jim Hart, assists in raising money to help the park with several items federal funding can’t cover. Hart, who grew up in Knoxville and has enjoyed the park his whole life, wanted to retire from his 35-year-long broadcasting career—but he wanted to have an active retirement. He jumped straight into Friends of the Smokies and has been involved with it for more than a decade. Hart says Friends of the Smokies has more than 2,000 volunteers—but there’s always room for more. Volunteers assist with everything from visitor information to trail work. If you don’t have time to volunteer, Hart encourages you to participate in other ways, whether it’s purchasing a Friends of the Smokies license plate or attending the annual Evergreen Ball. For more informa- tion on how to get involved, visit www.friendsofthesmokies.org.
122 CITYVIEWMAG.COM JULY AUGUST 2015