Department of Parks
Kentucky State Park Employees and Parks Honored

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Three Kentucky State Parks employees have been honored for their work by professional associations, and two state parks were also honored recently by the Kentucky Recreation and Park Society.

Lisa Deavers, the western region recreation coordinator for state parks, was named professional of the year by the Kentucky Recreation and Park Society at its recent annual meeting. Deavers, who joined the Department of Parks in 2004, previously worked in recreation positions at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park and Barren River Lake State Resort Park. Deavers is from Franklin. The award recognizes a recreation professional for their leadership and contributions to the leisure profession.

Trinity Shepherd, the naturalist at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park in Prestonsburg, was recently presented the Teddy Roosevelt Award by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The award recognizes people who support and promote conservation. Shepherd, who is from Magoffin County and has been with state parks since 2005, conducts elk viewing tours at the park. The foundation was instrumental in the reintroduction of elk in Eastern Kentucky.

Donnie Caldwell, the assistant golf professional at Wasioto Winds Golf Course at Pine Mountain State Resort Park in Pineville, was recognized as the professional of the month by the Kentucky section of the PGA of America. Caldwell, a PGA professional, was recognized for his efforts to work with young people through The First Tee program as well as drug prevention efforts.  Caldwell, a Harlan County native, has worked for state parks for more than 10 years.

The Kentucky Recreation and Park Society also honored two parks. Carter Caves State Resort Park in Olive Hill was named state park of the year for large parks, and Old Mulkey Meeting House State Historic Site in Tompkinsville was named state park of the year for smaller parks. This award is based on factors such as innovative programming and how well the park works with and gets support from its community.

The Winter Adventure Weekend at Carter Caves was selected as outstanding program of the year by the society. The Winter Adventure Weekend, scheduled for Jan. 27-29, 2012, includes hiking, tree climbing, canoeing, cave tours and other adventure programs and workshops.

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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 website at http://www.parks.ky.gov