Department of Parks
Kentucky State Parks Purchase 63 Acres To Expand Natural Bridge State Resort Park

SLADE, Ky. – The Kentucky Department of Parks has purchased 63 acres adjoining Natural Bridge State Resort Park near Slade through a program that preserves natural areas.

The property is along the Middle Fork of the Red River in Wolfe County and was acquired from the estate of the late Judge J. Douglas and Laura Graham.

The Department of Parks will conduct biological and archaeological surveys to document any significant resources and to preserve the tract in its natural state. The purchase brings the park’s total acreage to about 2,400 acres.

The property was purchased with funds through the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund, which gets money from the sale of the state nature license plate, environmental fines and the state portion of the unmined minerals tax. The Department of Parks is one of several state agencies that receive funding. More information about the fund is available at: http://www.dnr.ky.gov/heritageland/

Natural Bridge is adjacent to the Daniel Boone National Forest near the Red River Gorge National Geological Area.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park features a natural sandstone arch that spans 78 feet and is 65 feet high. The park has a lodge, cottages, campground, mini-golf, hiking trails, nature programs and a sky lift. For information, visit www.parks.ky.gov or call 1-800-325-1710.

--30--

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