Five Kentucky State Park resorts will receive an estimated $3.13 million in safety and aesthetic improvements over the next two years, officials announced.
The funding comes from $18 million approved this year by Gov. Matt Bevin and the General Assembly. The improvements include structural repairs, painting and interior and exterior upgrades. The work for the “Refreshing the Finest” campaign will be carried out during 2016 and 2017.
“Our park system is an important part of our state’s tourism economy with an annual economic impact of $889 million,” said Tourism, Arts and Heritage Secretary Don Parkinson. “This funding means that these parks receive these much needed upgrades.”
Examples of the planned upgrades include painting the lodge and cottages at Carter Caves State Resort Park; structural repairs at the lodge at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park; roof and sidewalk repairs at Natural Bridge State Resort Park; lodge and conference center painting and electrical repairs at General Butler State Resort Park; and repairs at the Pioneer Museum at Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park.
Much of the work that’s currently underway is being carried out by Kentucky State Park crews, Parks Commissioner Donnie Holland said. Other projects at the 17 resort parks will have to be put out for bid.
“The Kentucky State Parks are glad to have this funding to start addressing some of the needs at our state parks,” Holland said. “It doesn’t cover all of our needs, but it’s a start.”
A portion of the painting has already been completed at Carter Caves. Other work has been started at Lake Cumberland, Pennyrile Forest and Rough River Dam state resort parks.
Parkinson and Holland announced details of some of the projects at the five parks during an appearance at Carter Caves State Resort Park in Olive Hill.
For more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit http://www.parks.ky.gov