Department of Parks
New Web Site Established For Kentucky State Park Foundation

FRANKFORT, Ky. – A new web site has been established by a non-profit group that is helping to promote and support the Kentucky State Parks.

The Kentucky State Park Foundation was established in February and has 14 board members from across the state. Its purpose is to protect and advocate for the natural, historical and cultural resources of the park system through fundraising and other activities. The foundation will complement the work of the Kentucky Department of Parks.

The new web site is http://kentuckystateparksfoundation.org/  The site includes news about the foundation, a list of individual park foundations and friends groups, and how people can donate money to the foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) organization independent from state government. Donations have already been made to the foundation.

Parks Commissioner J.T. Miller said the foundation will also help develop education programs for families and children at parks, purchase historic artifacts, purchase land adjacent to parks, create and maintain park trails, and promote volunteer programs at parks. Contributors may designate a specific park they wish to benefit from their donation.

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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