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Department of Parks
Forestry Program At Wickliffe Mounds On April 28
WICKLIFFE, Ky. – Visitors to Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site can learn how Native Americans used the forest to survive and what an important resource it continues to be.
The park will present “Trek Among the Trees” on April 28 in cooperation with the Kentucky Department of Forestry.
“Native Americans knew their forest environment well. The forest fed, clothed, and sheltered them. They knew hickory and Osage orange wood made the best long bows,” said Wickliffe Mounds Manager Carla Hildebrand. “They knew red cedar was excellent for building their homes and bald cypress made the best dugout canoes. Just like the Mississippian Indians that occupied Wickliffe Mounds a thousand years ago, we too are dependant on our forests.”
Smokey Bear, if he’s not called to fight a forest fire, will make an appearance in the morning. Free trees will be given away until the supply is exhausted.
The day’s activities will include a morning trek through the woods at 10 a.m. and an afternoon trek at 2 p.m. Forestry personnel will lead each trail course and teach participants how to identify trees. In addition, information on forest stewardship and other Kentucky Department of Forestry programs will be available. Visitors will be able to speak with forestry representatives about programs and services that the agency provides.
The admission of $5 for adults and $4 for children 6-12 allows them to take part in all activities, including the museum. Children 5 and under are free. The museum and park are open 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For information, call the park at 270-335-3681.
Wickliffe Mounds is the archaeological site of a prehistoric Native American village of the Mississippian mound builders. Located on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi river, the village was occupied from about AD 1100 to 1350. The park also has picnic areas and a gift shop.
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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 53 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. Each year, Kentucky parks draw 7 million visitors and contribute $317 million to the economy. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov
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