Radnor Lake State Park Closed After Winter Storm Damage

Park officials say the park will be marked by the storm's impact for years to come.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Radnor Lake State Park in Tennessee has been closed indefinitely due to extensive damage from a recent winter storm. Thousands of trees were downed, and park staff are working to clear paths and mulch the fallen trees. State park leaders say Radnor is one of several parks severely damaged and that they are eager to reopen the park, but want to ensure it is safe for visitors.

Why it matters

Radnor Lake State Park is a popular outdoor destination near Nashville, and its closure due to storm damage impacts local residents and visitors. The park's recovery process highlights the challenges state parks face in repairing extensive weather-related damage.

The details

The winter storm that swept through Tennessee last month caused significant damage to Radnor Lake State Park, with thousands of trees downed throughout the grounds. Park manager Steve Ward said he hasn't seen this level of destruction since the 2010 flood. Park staff initially focused on helping neighbors clear their driveways before pivoting to the cleanup process at the park. While some of the fallen trees are beneficial for the park's habitat and wildlife, too many pose a wildfire risk. The cleanup efforts are focused on clearing paths, mulching downed trees, and making the park safe for visitors.

  • The winter storm that caused the damage occurred last month.
  • Park staff hunkered down at the Barbara J. Mapp Aviary building during the storm.
  • The park has been closed since the storm, and officials hope to reopen it sometime in March.

The players

Steve Ward

The park manager at Radnor Lake State Park.

Tim Stewart

The Assistant Director of Facilities at Tennessee State Parks.

Friends of Radnor Lake

An organization that coordinates volunteer efforts and donations to support the park.

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What they’re saying

“There's a shock to it; there will be a shock to it for our visitors and our neighbors when they get to see it.”

— Steve Ward, Park Manager, Radnor Lake State Park (WKRN)

“First, we start off with obviously the more public areas, the roads, the parking lots, things like that, but as time goes, there's going to be trails that are going to be down for a while.”

— Tim Stewart, Assistant Director of Facilities, Tennessee State Parks (WKRN)

“Just [have] a little bit of patience. We have an internal mandate to be open and accessible, that's why we're here. So we want to be open as soon as possible, we want to be accessible for all seven million Tennesseans, but we want it to be safe.”

— Steve Ward, Park Manager, Radnor Lake State Park (WKRN)

What’s next

Park officials say they will need many volunteers to help with the cleanup efforts once the park is deemed safe for public access. Visitors can sign up to volunteer through the Friends of Radnor Lake organization.

The takeaway

The extensive damage to Radnor Lake State Park highlights the challenges state parks face in recovering from severe weather events. The park's closure impacts local residents and visitors, but officials are committed to reopening the park as soon as it is safe, demonstrating the importance of these public outdoor spaces.