Department of Parks
New Managers Ready for Summer at State Parks

New Managers Ready for Summer at State Parks

FRANKFORT, Ky.-- The Kentucky Department of Parks has named new managers at several locations within the state’s system of resort, recreational parks and historic sites.

            Commissioner Gerry van der Meer said that the new managers and other interim assignments assure a smooth transition into the parks’ busy summer season that opens with Memorial Day.  “We’re very fortunate to have a deep bench of expertise,” he said.  “As we move into our high season, I have every confidence that these individuals will keep each park running at optimum level for guests and visitors.”

            Ron Sydnor, previously assistant manager at Lake Barkley State Resort Park, has moved into the top slot at the Jefferson Davis State Historic Site along U.S. 68 near Fairview.  Sydnor, a native of Russellville, served for 20 years in the U. S. Marine Corps and has a Bachelors degree in history.  The latter is bound to be invaluable as Kentucky gears up to participate in the five-year celebration of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War beginning in 2011.  He has been with the state parks system for five years and began his career at Kenlake State Resort Park on Kentucky Lake near Hardin. 

            Michael Schwendau went to Blue Licks State Resort Park near Carlisle as acting manager of the park and museum following Stephanie Gaither’s naming as a regional manager.  His tenure as manager comes after nearly five years as assistant manager at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park near Gilbertsville.  Schwendau, who was reared in Louisville, served in the United States Navy and the Navy Reserves for 11 years.  He has an associate’s degree in culinary sciences and Bachelors in hotel management. 

            Curtis Gamblin has been reassigned as manager of Mineral Mound State Park near Eddyville from Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park where he served as manager for five years.  He’s been with the system for 17 years including time at both Rough River State Resort Park as the business manager and Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park as manager.  Gamblin grew up in Nortonville, Ky., and has resided in the western part of the state throughout his life. 

            The appointments of Sydnor and Gamblin became official on May 16 and Schwendau’s move goes into effect June 1. 

A few temporary assignments during the interim will occur at various locations.  Parks veteran Ron Vanover has been temporarily assigned to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park from Natural Bridge State Resort Park where he has been manager for five years; his career with the state parks spans more than two decades.   Hope Howell, assistant manager at Natural Bridge, will take the helm in his absence.  Scot Williams, who was an assistant park manager prior to moving to the department’s food service division, is filling in at Kentucky Dam Village until a replacement is named. 

Kentucky State Parks, regarded as one of the best park systems in the nation, includes 52 locations.  Just having celebrated its 85^th anniversary last year, the system is an agency in the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet.   Kentucky’s state parks boast the most developed parks system in the nation and draw millions of visitors each year and has a major economic impact on Kentucky’s economy. 

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Kentucky State Parks include lodges, campgrounds, swimming, history, restaurants and more.   Each year, Kentucky parks draw millions of visitors and generate hundreds of millions for Kentucky’s economy--but admission and parking are always free.

 For more information about amenities, events and other aspects of KySP, visit the web site at www.parks.ky.gov