Herschend Family Entertainment won't support Nashville water park without Parton

Dolly Parton's relationship with Gaylord Entertainment Co. has broken down in recent months. Image © Dollywood

Dolly Parton's partner in running Dollywood, Herschend Family Entertainment, has confirmed that it will not participate in a project to build a new water and snow park in Nashville.

Country music superstar Parton announced last week that Dollywood has withdrawn from the project, leaving Gaylord Entertainment Co. as its sole backer. Herschend has now moved to confirm that it will not pursue the project without Parton, further clouding the future of the proposed Nashville park.

Progress on the development of the water and snow park has stalled, with Parton claiming that Gaylord's sale of its hotel brand to Marriott had led to a lack of focus on the project. The company's move to sell its Opryland Resort and Convention Center proved to be the final straw for Dollywood, which pulled out of the partnership as a result.

Plans for the water and snow park, announced in January, called for it to be divided into two sections. The largest of these would be occupied by the water park, which would boast a number of slides and a lazy river. The smaller snow park would contain just two slides initially, with fake snow being used to keep it operational during periods of milder weather.