Department of Parks
Kentucky State Parks Celebrate National Public Lands Day Sept. 29
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky State Parks will be participating in National Public Lands Day on Sept. 29, 2012, 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 170,000 volunteers worked in 2,067 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.
During last year’s celebration, volunteers across the country carried out an estimated $17 million in improvements by removing trash, collecting invasive plants, building trails and planting trees.
“We appreciate the work of all volunteers in our state parks,” said Parks Commissioner Elaine Walker. “National Public Lands Day is an excellent opportunity to recognize the importance of preserving our parks and the partnerships we have with volunteers and other organizations that work with us.”
Below is a listing of park events. Please note that some park events are being held on dates other than Sept. 29.
Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas
Sept. 15
Barren River Lake State Resort Park invites you to attend Trashmaster’s Classic Lakeshore Cleanup sponsored by Friends of Barren River Lake and Park on Sept. 15, from 8 a.m. to noon CST. This is an official National Public Lands Day event. Volunteer to make a difference in the health and beauty of your community. Come lend a hand as we clean up the shoreline an make an impact right here in our own backyard! After all your hard work, drive over to Barren River Lake State Resort Park beach from noon to 3 p.m. for free food, door prizes, and live entertainment. View exhibits by the Army Corps of Engineers, Barren River Lake State Resort Parks, Sierra Club, Friends of Barren River Lake, and WBKO-13. For more information, contact Jamie Avery at 270-646-2151, ext. 2415 or at jamie.avery@ky.gov. You can also contact the Corps of Engineers at 270-646-2055.
Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn
Sept. 29
National Public Lands Day for Buckhorn will be 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 29. Morning activities will include beautification projects such as trail repair, pruning, weeding, leaf and trash pickup and cleaning ditches. In the afternoon, several forest-related and "Leave No Trace" activities will be featured. Any child or adult is welcome to participate as well as scout groups. The day will conclude with a planting of trees that individuals have donated to the park. For more information, call the park at 1-800-325-0058.
Columbus-Belmont State Park, Columbus
Sept. 29
Columbus-Belmont State Park will be participating in National Public Lands Day by 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. There will be free museum admission for all who participate. Call or email the park office for more information: 270-677-2327 or cindy.lynch@ky.gov.
Fort Boonesborough State Park
Sept. 29
Fort Boonesborough State Park will celebrate the day 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with landscaping, planting trees and flowers, cleaning up trails, picking up trash and building bluebird boxes. For more information, call Bryan Cole at 859-200-6457.
Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz
Sept. 29
Lake Barkley and the Friends of Lake Barkley will be celebrating National Public Lands Day on Sept. 29. Earlier this year, the Friends of Lake Barkley State Resort Park were awarded a grant for new trail equipment from the American Hiking Society. Along with using the new equipment to repair some of the trails, there will also be a shoreline cleanup. The day starts at 9 a.m. at Lake Barkley beach. At noon, there will be a cookout at the campground. Volunteers are encouraged to bring a side item for lunch, gloves, water, and sturdy shoes. For information, call the park at 1-800-325-1708.
Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Jamestown
Sept. 15
The park will participate in the 19th Annual Lake Cumberland Cleanup on Sept. 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central time. The cleanup is held at locations all over the lake in an effort to remove trash, tires, appliances, etc., from the shoreline of Lake Cumberland. Gloves and garbage bags will be furnished. Check-in on the day of the cleanup at the park’s launching ramp. A picnic with food and prizes will be held at 3 p.m. Call Friends of Lake Cumberland President Debbie Schumann at 888-782-8336 or email debbie@statedock.com with questions.
Lake Malone State Park, Dunmor
Sept. 29
The Friends of Lake Malone are seeking volunteers to help with maintenance projects on park trails and the marina. Registration is 8-8:30 a.m. Bring your own tools, water, sunscreen and gloves. Meet at the lower pavilion at the picnic area. During registration free refreshments will be served. For more information, call Barbara Kozik at 270-657-2005 or the park at 270-657-2111. The friends email address is: friendsoflakemalone@hotmail.com
Taylorsville Lake State Park, Taylorsville
Sept. 29
The park will participate in the Taylorsville Lake Clean Sweep on Sept. 29. The park will provide shelters, boats and workers to assist in the Clean Sweep. The event starts at 8 a.m. and runs until noon. Lunch will be served at park shelters. For more information, call the park at 502-477-8713.
Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site, Wickliffe
Sept. 29
Help preserve the archaeological site, facilities and grounds at Wickliffe Mounds by cleaning the trail, picnic area, outside buildings and park entrance for National Public Lands Day. Meet at the Welcome Center at 9 a.m. for an orientation to the site and cleanup project. Work is performed outside, so bring along proper work gear. At 1:30 p.m., there will be a presentation on the archaeological history of the site. For more information call 270-335-3681 or email wickliffemounds@ky.gov
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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 49 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 website at http://www.parks.ky.gov