Department of Parks
Kentucky State Parks Participate In National Public Lands Day On Sept. 26
FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky State Parks will be participating in National Public Lands Day on Sept. 26, a day set aside to recognize the importance of parks and encourage volunteer work.
National Public Lands Day began in 1994 with three federal agencies and 700 volunteers. Last year, some 110,000 volunteers worked in 1,300 locations in every state. The purpose of this day is to keep the promise of the Civilian Conservation Corps alive and to preserve and protect America’s natural heritage.
Governor Steve Beshear has issued a proclamation for Public Lands Day in Kentucky, urging citizens to participate and noting that public lands provide “natural and cultural resources for environmental learning, wildlife appreciation, and recreation.”
Here is a listing of Kentucky State Park events for Public Lands Day. All are on Saturday, Sept. 26, unless otherwise noted (Some projects are being held on different days.) Call the park for details. All times are local.
Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas
September 19th – 22nd Annual Trashmasters Classic
Trashmasters is an official National Public Lands Day Event. Come celebrate, have fun, and make a difference in your community by picking up trash along the Barren River Lake shoreline. The lakeshore pickup begins at 8 a.m. and ends at noon. Volunteers can meet at several locations, including the park. Following the pickup, volunteers will be treated to live music by Mike Shea and friends, a free lunch and the opportunity to win some great door prizes at Barren River Lake State Resort Park beach. All participants are invited, litter bags will be furnished. The Classic is sponsored by Friends of Barren River Lake, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Barren River Lake State Resort Park and WBKO-Channel 13. 1-800-325-0057.
Sept. 26 – Barren River Overnight Canoe/Camping Trip
Enjoy the day floating along Peter’s Creek and Barren River Lake. In support of National Public Lands Day, we will be picking trash up along the shoreline and in the water during this 4-5 hour paddle. Following the paddling, we will be camping under the stars. We provide all the equipment, instruction and meals. Registration is $75 per person and preregistration is required. If you have your own canoe or kayak and would like to help with the trash pickup, feel free to join us. Contact Lisa Deavers, Parks Program Services Supervisor at 270-646-2151 or lisa.deavers@ky.gov to register for the overnight trip or to sign up for the trash pickup.
Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, Mount Olivet
The park is seeking volunteers for Sept. 26th for a special “hands on” Rain Garden Project. A Rain Garden will be planted by one of our trails in a problem flooding area. Rain Gardens absorb rainwater runoff and help reduce erosion, water pollution, and flooding. Volunteers are encouraged to call Paul Tierney at 800-443-7008. This is a great learning activity for youth groups. Volunteers will receive a free Blue Licks T-Shirt, free lunch at Hidden Waters Restaurant, and Gift Shop discount. Preregister by Sept. 15.
Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn
Volunteers for a clean up day start with registration at 8:30 a.m. and work begins at 9 a.m. “Leave No Trace” activities will be before lunch, while “Project Learning Tree” and the planting of trees will occur after lunch. Activities will end at 3 p.m. Contact Sue Thomas at 606-398-7510.
Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill
The park is seeking volunteers for a clean up day at Carter Caves State Resort Park. The focus will be on removing litter from around Smoky Valley Lake and some of the park’s hiking trails. The cleanup will be from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and a volunteer appreciation cookout will follow the cleanup. Volunteers should call Sam Plummer at 800-325-0059 for more information. Meet at the Welcome Center at 9:30 a.m.
Columbus-Belmont State Park, Columbus
Columbus-Belmont will be holding a “Trails and Trenches” Preservation Day. Volunteers will pick up trash, cut limbs and brush, and replace signs and fences. Work starts at 9 a.m. Sign up will be at Shelter B. Bring rakes, grabbers, and gloves. 270-677-2327.
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin
Come and help restore the Falls area to its natural beauty starting at 9 a.m. at the visitor center. After registration, volunteers will be assigned to pick-up trash along the river bank or along a hiking trail. Bags will be provided. Please wear appropriate clothing. Refreshments will be served. A hike to Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower is planned at 2 p.m. The Riverview Restaurant will host a pioneer dinner. Contact Bret Smitley at 1-800-325-0063 for information.
E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park, Louisville
For National Public Lands Day, E. P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park will allow children to explore the fantasy world of their imagination while learning the importance of caring for and utilizing their public lands. This program is for children ages 3 to 10. Park staff plan to open the gates to the magical world in the park in order to invigorate childhood in the outdoors. There will be fantasy land home building, face painting, fairy story-time, a nature hike, and other fantasy crafts. Through these programs, children will learn all that public lands can offer to the imagination. Children are encouraged to wear their favorite fantasy character costume that can get a little dirty. Meet at Picnic Grove across from the archery range. This program is free. 502-429-7270.
Fort Boonesborough State Park, Richmond
Sept. 12
The park will ask volunteers to pick up litter, work on trails, make birdhouses, plant and mulch on Sept. 12. Registration at the park office starts at 7:45 a.m. and work will begin at 8:30 a.m. and last until around 2 p.m. Volunteers from Toyota are planning to attend and other groups are welcome to join. Please bring gloves and wear sturdy boots. For more information, call Bryan Cole at (859) 200-6457.
General Burnside State Park, Burnside
Sept. 19
Take part in the 19th Annual Lake Cumberland Cleanup on Sept. 19. Gloves and garbage bags will be furnished. General Burnside State Park is one of the check-in points for volunteers. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET. A picnic is planned for 3 p.m. Call (606) 679-3680.
General Butler State Resort Park, Carrollton
The park plans clean up work on Butler Lake trails from 8-11 a.m. The cleanup will include removal of downed cedar trees, invasive weeds and trash both in the lake and along the shoreline. Contact Evelyn Welch at 502-732-4384 to register.
Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Greenup
Volunteers will pick up trash around the lake shore and trails. Meet at the boat dock at 9:30 a.m. Contact Paul Verespy at 1-800-325-0083 for information.
John James Audubon State Park, Henderson
Looking for something meaningful to do outside? Members of the public, families, scouts and other civic organizations are all welcome to Audubon State Park to help with Park clean-up on National Public Lands Day from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Volunteers can bring a comfortable long sleeve shirt and long pants, hiking boots, possibly a hand saw or loppers, bug spray, sunscreen, gloves and safety glasses. Meet at the Park office for instructions. Meet at J. J. Audubon State Park Office. Contact Julie McDonald at (270) 826-2247 or juliea.mcdonald@ky.gov for information.
Kenlake State Resort Park, Aurora
The clean up projects start at 8 a.m. at the Kenlake Lodge. Projects are likely to include trail and shoreline cleanup. A free hotdog cookout for volunteers will be at 11:30 a.m. at the marina. Please call 1-800-325-0143 and ask for the recreation department to let us know you are coming. The park will provide gloves and bug spray. Volunteers should bring sunscreen and a friend.
Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, Gilbertsville
The park plans a cleanup below the lodge near the shoreline and also at the beach area from 8 a.m. to noon. A discounted lunch will be offered to volunteers at noon. For more information, call Anthony Lawrence at 1-800-325-0146 ext 430.
Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz
Volunteer projects start at 7:30 a.m. at Barkley Lodge’s lower parking lot. Projects are likely to include trail maintenance and shoreline cleanup. A volunteer appreciation cookout will be at 11:30 a.m. at the beach. The cookout is open to all who have volunteered over the last year – even if you can’t make the morning projects. Please let the park know you plan to attend by contacting Nick Edmonds at nick.edmonds@ky.gov or 800-325-1708. Bring work gloves, sunscreen, bug spray, and a friend!
Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Jamestown
(Sept. 19)
Take part in the 19th Annual Lake Cumberland Cleanup on Sept. 19. Gloves and garbage bags will be furnished. Lake Cumberland State Resort Park is one of the check-in points for volunteers. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CT. A picnic is planned for 3 p.m. Call (606) 679-3680.
Nolin Lake State Park, Bee Springs
(Sept. 12-Oct. 3)
Nolin Lake State Park, in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is planning clean up events on weekends from Sept. 12 through Oct. 3 in support of National Public Lands Day. For information about volunteering, call 270-286-4511 or 270-286-4240.
Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Falls of Rough
(Sept. 19)
Join Rough River as the park celebrates National Public Lands Day during the Trash Bash 2009 Lakeshore Cleanup! After the cleanup, the park will provide lunch, entertainment, and give away prizes for volunteers. The cleanup starts at 8 a.m. (CDT) and the festivities will wrap up at 2 p.m. To register, meet that morning at Axtel, Brown’s Hideaway, Cannon’s Point, Cave Creek, Eveleigh, Indian Valley, Laurel Branch, North Fork, Peter Cave, and State Park Boat Ramps. For more information, contact Sheila Jones at Rough River State Resort Park (270) 257-2311.
Taylorsville Lake State Park, Taylorsville
Taylorsville Lake is planning Clean Sweep 2009 on National Public Lands Day. Registration opens at 8 a.m. at Picnic Shelter 1. Clean up event of the lake shoreline and park trails. All volunteers will need to sign-in to be eligible for door prizes. Lunch and entertainment is provided at 11:30 a.m. at the shelters. For more information contact Lisa Freeman at (502) 477-8882. Pre-registration is recommended.
Waveland State Historic Site, Lexington
Waveland will hold a clean up day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers will be asked to pick up limbs on the grounds and along the trail, and also help choose sites for fall plantings of trees. For more information call Waveland State Historic Site at 859-272-3611.
Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site, Wickliffe
Meet at Wickliffe Mounds Welcome Center at 10 a.m. for an orientation to the site and work project. Volunteers will be needed for trail clean up, trash pick up on park grounds, landscaping flower beds for fall, cleaning outside of museum buildings. The park will also be taking part in the fifth annual Museum Day, presented by Smithsonian magazine. Museum Day reflects the spirit of the magazine, and emulates the free-admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C.-based properties. Admission will be free of charge to Smithsonian magazine readers and Smithsonian.com visitors at participating museums. Visit www.smithsonian.com/museumday to download your Museum Day Admission Card. Attendees must present the Museum Day Admission Card to gain free entry. Each card provides museum access for two people, and one admission card is permitted per household. 270-335-3681.
Yatesville Lake State Park, Louisa
Yatesville Lake State Park will participate in National Public Lands Day from 8 a.m. to noon. Trash collection and debris removal are planned for the fishing jetty and lagoon areas. At the campground boat ramp area, special emphasis will be on the lakeshore fishing area. Volunteers should call Park Manager Mike Sullivan at 606-673-1492.
For more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit www.parks.ky.gov For information about National Public Lands Day, visit http://www.publiclandsday.org/
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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 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