Construction on a county park, located off KY 801, is well underway. As a walking path, horse trail, and other developments continue, some officials are wondering how the county will secure the money for further amenities.
Rowan County Judge Executive Harry Clark said the fiscal court has applied for various grants. A $250,000 grant is going toward a paved trail along the perimeter of the park property. The Blue Grass Community Foundation has already raised money for multiple picnic tables and is set to continue its efforts.
Clark said UK Saint Claire has pitched in $30,000 to build a picnic pavilion, and many other essentials are in the planning phase, like bathrooms.
“So, when we get through this picnic pavilion and we get it stood up, our next project will be restrooms. We’ve got to have some bathrooms on the front end of the park. We’re getting some cost estimates,” said Clark. “I think it’ll be difficult to get people to want to sponsor a bathroom, just because you really don’t want your name on the bathroom! But we may get some.”
The property is undergoing construction in phases, beginning toward the front of the property closest to KY 801. Currently, the first phase involves the beginnings of a walking trail, picnic tables, and other basic amenities. Clark said maintaining a property can sometimes be more expensive than building it in the first place, so they are being mindful of long-term needs.
“We budgeted for some park maintenance, we built a parking lot. So, it’s a small parking lot, but it’ll probably hold 40, 50 cars. So, we are contributing from our line item in parks to do some things, and some improvements that we need in the park,” said Clark.
Clark says even with grants, a lot of the park’s progress will be reliant on the county and the funds it will contribute in the future.
The public is welcome to visit the park and see the progress so far, which also includes a lake the community can fish in.