Department of Parks
All Kentucky State Park Resorts Get AAA Rating

FRANKFORT, Ky. – All 17 Kentucky State Park resorts have qualified this year for the diamond rating from AAA – an increase from just five resorts two years ago.

The 17 resorts have all earned a two-diamond rating from the American Automobile Association, which has 49 million members across the country.

“Going from five resorts to all 17 having this rating illustrates the kind of hard work our staff has been engaged in during the last two years,” said Parks Commissioner J.T. Miller. “This means we’re presenting a better product to our customers and that’s what we strive for.”

The rating system is based on an evaluation process of six areas: management and staff; housekeeping and maintenance; exterior, grounds and public areas; room décor, ambiance and amenities; bathrooms; and guest services. The 17 resorts will be listed in AAA TourBooks with the rating.

The Kentucky State Parks have undergone many improvements during the administration of Gov. Ernie Fletcher, Miller said.

Among those initiatives was a plan to improve staff professionalism with sales training for park front-line parks employees. The provider, Signature Inc., is a leader in hospitality sales training. The training improved the service to customers and resulted in new revenue due to increased sales.

The parks system also implemented a system in 2004 that allows customers to use the Internet to make reservations for all lodges, cottages and campsites. Wireless networks offering high-speed Internet access for guests have been installed during 2006 at all resort parks.  Upon completion, covered areas will include lodge lobbies, lodge rooms, and meeting rooms.

Another improvement, electronic locks, replaced the 1,400 keyed locks at all lodge rooms and cottages at all 17 resort parks and at John James Audubon State Park cottages. The electronic locks are safer and more efficient than the keyed locks.

The state parks have also upgraded rooms with new mattresses and hair dryers, added carpeting and new furnishings.

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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 52 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