Friends of the Jimmy Neil Smith Park

Tucked away in downtown Jonesborough behind the International Storytelling Center, you’ll find Jimmy Neil Smith Park, a tranquil wooded green space that’s open to the community.

The park is named for ISC’s founder, Jimmy Neil Smith, who established the National Storytelling Festival in 1973. His vision helped revitalize historic Jonesborough and led to a revival of storytelling across the United States.

JNS Park
JNS
JNS Park Book Sign

The three-acre park recently underwent an extensive relandscaping and rejuvenation campaign. The park now features a Little Free Library that contains books for visitors to take home and enjoy. The paved walking trail includes a special path, Storybook Trail, that promotes childhood literacy, family bonding, and gentle exercise. Semi-permanent placards that line the trail tell a story from a children’s book. The placards will be changed several times a year to feature new text and illustrations. Funding for the Storybook Trail was provided by local Jonesborough residents, Harold and Nancy Dishner.

The Friends of Jimmy Neil Smith Park campaign will provide support for the upkeep of the park and fund new placards for the Storybook Trail.

The current presentation of 

Everyone Has a Story to Tell

was made possible by 

Resident Book Authors and Illustrator 

Dr. Rebecca Isbell, Author 

Marilyn Buchanan, Author 

William B. Bledsoe, Illustrator 

Friends of the Jimmy Neil Smith Park

Contributors to the Garden and Grounds

Terry and Sandy Countermine

Gary & Sandee Degner

Harold and Dr. Nancy Dishner

Lynda Harris

Dr. William and Virginia Kennedy

Barbara McBride-Smith

With Generous Support From

The International Storytelling Center

Town of Jonesborough

Levels of Giving

$25 - Bluebell
$50 - Mountain Phlox
$100 - Iris
$250 - Red Bud
$500 - Dogwood