Hamilton County Commissioners Approve McDonald Farm as New State Park

The 1,300-acre farm will be transformed into one of the largest park investments in the county's history.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Hamilton County Commissioners have unanimously approved a plan to turn part of the 1,300-acre McDonald Farm into a new state park. The move comes after discussions between the county and the leading conservation group, Save Enterprise South Nature Park, which had previously proposed a land swap deal for the property. The commissioners expressed enthusiasm for the plan, with one stating "we can't vote fast enough" to make the new state park a reality.

Why it matters

The creation of the new state park on the McDonald Farm property represents a significant investment in outdoor recreation and conservation for Hamilton County. It will provide residents and visitors with expanded access to nature and green spaces, while also preserving an important piece of the region's agricultural heritage.

The details

Under the approved plan, more than 1,300 acres of the McDonald Farm will be converted into the new state park. Hamilton County Mayor Wamp has described it as one of the largest park investments in the county's history. The plan was developed in collaboration with the local conservation group Save Enterprise South Nature Park, which had previously proposed a land swap deal for the property.

  • The Hamilton County Commissioners unanimously approved the plan during their meeting on February 26, 2026.

The players

Hamilton County Commissioners

The elected governing body of Hamilton County, Tennessee, responsible for approving the plan to convert part of the McDonald Farm into a new state park.

Save Enterprise South Nature Park

A leading local conservation group that had previously proposed a land swap deal for the McDonald Farm property and worked with the county on the new state park plan.

Wamp

The Hamilton County Mayor, who described the new state park as one of the largest park investments in the county's history.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We can't vote fast enough" to make the new state park a reality.”

— Hamilton County Commissioner (local3news.com)

What’s next

The county and conservation group will now work to finalize the details of the land transfer and begin the process of developing the new state park on the McDonald Farm property.

The takeaway

The approval of the McDonald Farm as a new state park represents a significant investment in outdoor recreation and conservation for Hamilton County, preserving an important piece of the region's agricultural heritage while providing expanded access to nature and green spaces for residents and visitors.