Department of Parks
Lake Barkley State Resort Park Receives Three-Diamond Rating From AAA

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Lake Barkley State Resort Park has become the third resort park to recently receive a three-diamond rating from the American Automobile Association.

The new rating will appear in the 2008 AAA tour books later this year as well as the organization’s web site.

“This rating recognizes the improvements we’ve made at Lake Barkley State Resort Park and the hard work of our employees,” said Gov. Ernie Fletcher. “These upgrades are making our state parks more attractive to guests.”

Lake Barkley’s lodge rooms are currently undergoing a $5.87 million renovation to upgrade the 124 lodge rooms with new granite-top vanities, carpet, wall coverings, furniture, refinished woodwork and mechanical and electrical upgrades. New heating and cooling systems with individual room controls are also being installed.

About half of the rooms have been completed and the remaining rooms are scheduled to be completed in mid-May.

A three-diamond rating from AAA means the establishment appeals “to the traveler with comprehensive needs. Properties are multifaceted with a distinguished style, including marked upgrades in the quality of physical attributes, amenities, and level of comfort provided.”

AAA evaluates six areas – management and staff; housekeeping and maintenance; exterior, grounds and public areas; room décor, ambience and amenities; bathrooms; and guest services.

Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park at Gilbertsville and Cumberland Falls Resort Park near Corbin recently received three-diamond ratings from AAA. The remaining 14 state resort parks have two-diamond ratings.

Lake Barkley, Kentucky Dam Village and Cumberland Falls are the first state resort parks to be rated as a three-diamond resort since AAA revised its rating system in 2001 to reflect changes that were being made across the lodging industry. For example, coffeemakers, hair dryers, ironing boards and larger television sets were becoming more common and AAA revised its ratings system to reflect those changes.  In 2003, only four of the 17 state resort parks were listed in the 2003 AAA Tour Book. Once these basic improvements were made, all resorts were determined to be two-diamond resorts by AAA.

During the Fletcher administration, Kentucky State Parks started offering wireless Internet service at all lodges, introduced online reservations, added electronic locks, 25 inch TVs, hair dryers and other amenities at the resort parks.

Besides the lodge, Lake Barkley has cottages, a restaurant, campground, heated indoor pool and fitness center, outdoor pool, 18-hole golf course, marina and boat ramp, and hiking trails. For information about Lake Barkley State Resort Park, call 1-800-325-1708 or visit www.parks.ky.gov

Lake Barkley State Resort Park is near Cadiz, 29 miles west of Hopkinsville. Take US 68W to KY 1489.

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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