Department of Parks
State Parks Seeks Information For Golf Course Plan

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Department of Parks is seeking information to help develop a proposal that would allow vendors to bid on operating its golf courses.

A “request for information” has been issued that allows interested parties to provide information about the operation and leasing of 12 eighteen-hole courses and six nine-hole courses operated by state parks. The information gathered from this request will be used to develop a formal “request for proposal” in the state bidding process.

The request for information is due Aug. 18, 2010. The request is posted on the Finance Cabinet’s website at http://eprocurement.ky.gov/ It will also be advertised in Kentucky newspapers.

One of the recommendations in the Kentucky State Parks strategic plan is to reduce the costs of golf operations. Since golf is traditionally a private-sector business, the state parks are proposing to have a concessionaire operate the courses.

Parks plans to issue a request for proposal around the end of September.

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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 51 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov