Get To Know Christy Our Groundskeeper
Name: Christy W.
Title: Groundskeeper
So, what does your title mean you do at Wilderness at the Smokies?
As a Groundskeeper I design, plan, prepare, install and maintain all plant material alongside our landscaping team. It is truly an amazing experience to make the Wilderness at the Smokies, Lake Wilderness and Soaky Mountain Waterpark beautiful for our guests to enjoy.
What is the best part of your job?
The amazing landscaping crew I am surrounded by who makes it their passion to keep our grounds gorgeous.
How long have you worked at the Wilderness at the Smokies and in what roles?
In April 2026, I celebrated my 1 year anniversary of working at this amazing resort!
Favorite wet attraction at the Wilderness at the Smokies?
The Lazy River at Lake Wilderness outdoor waterpark
Favorite dry attraction at the Wilderness at the Smokies?
I haven’t experienced many of the wonderful dry attractions yet but I can tell my son and I would love to be in the arcade for a long while! It is awesome and has so many fun things to do!
Favorite food venue at Wilderness at the Smokies?
The Deli inside River Lodge has the best sandwiches hands down! My favorite is the Club Wilderness!
Favorite thing to eat at Wilderness at the Smokies?
My sweet tooth is huge! I love eating lots of chocolate covered Oreos, as well as chocolate covered strawberries and cherries from the Candy Cabin! I’ve visited it many times! I absolutely love it!
Piece of advice for first-time guests?
Do as many of the attractions within the resort as possible! There are so many amazing activities to experience here. The Smoky mountain region is also so beautiful so I would suggest at least going and exploring our mountains!
Now for some fun stuff:
Where were you born?
Meridian, Mississippi. I’m what a lot of people say is a Mississippi Mudpie!!
Are you a dog or cat person?
Both! I have one dog, Noelle Star & a black cat, Kippsy Black. I love all animals, even Hermit Crabs and Geicos!
Favorite toy when you were a kid?
As a kid I loved to be outdoors driving my baby dolls on little trucks and cars through mud puddles! Anything to be outside was the way to go for me!
All-time favorite movie?
There’s so many favorite movies of me it’s hard to pick just one! But if I had to choose it would be “The Notebook”. The love story between the characters and the town it’s mostly based in gets me every time! We have been over to the movie location in Martin’s Point on Wadamalaw Island on the outskirts of Charleston, SC so many times! I absolutely love it!
All-time favorite TV series?
A lot of TV series interest me. But to be just a little different, the series on Netflix, Wednesday, drew me in! I thought it was fabulous!
Favorite ice cream flavor or Miss Molly’s Shake Shoppe shake?
Coocoo for Cocoa is my fav because I’m all about chocolate!
What toppings do you like on your pizza?
EVERYTHING! All toppings, meat, veggies and lots of cheese!