Department of Parks
State to Invest More Than $2 Million to Modernize Cumberland Falls State Resort

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Ongoing and upcoming renovations at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park near Corbin, Ky., will result in remodeled lodge rooms, a new entrance, mechanical upgrades and an improved overlook area.

Work is currently progressing on one of the areas overlooking the majestic falls. Elmo Greer and Son Company of London, Ky., is overseeing the project, which includes new decking and a new handrail. This particular overlook has been closed for several years because of structural issues. A separate project, which is still being designed, will involve improving the entire fall visitation area. Specifically, a large slope will be evened out and a drop-off point will be added. If the work goes according to schedule, it should be complete by the summer of 2006.

The centerpiece of the remodeling activities, however, is a complete modernization of the DuPont Lodge’s 52 guest rooms, including new bedding, window treatments, light fixtures, trim and upgraded wiring to allow for modern electrical appliances. Additionally, the bathrooms will receive new tiling, sinks, curtain rods, and countertops, while the room’s furniture will be refinished.

Other improvements include painting the entire lodge, establishing two ADA accessible rooms, refurbishing the lounge furniture, replacing the chiller, sprucing up the meeting rooms and building a new canopy.

“We will really be modernizing just about everything, but we will be especially careful to maintain things like the hemlock beams that make Cumberland Falls so charming,” said Lisa Davis, the park’s manager.

The work on the guest rooms will be done a floor at a time. As a result, about one-third of the lodge’s rooms will be unavailable for reservations at any single time. The entire project is expected to be completed by April.

South Gulf Inc., which has an office in Williamsburg, Ky., will complete most of the remodeling work.  Miller’s Plumbing and Heating Inc. of Tyler, Ky., will perform the work on the chiller, which cools the lodge’s public areas.

Another project scheduled for next year is to renovate 10 cottages.

Altogether, these projects represent an investment of over $2 million. All the work is being financed through a $35 million bond issue approved by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2005.

Founded in 1931, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is located 20 miles southwest of Corbin off KY 90.

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