Five Kentucky state parks will be seeing $3 million dollars in safety and aesthetic improvements over the next couple of years. The announcement came Tuesday from Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Secretary Don Parkinson during a visit to Carter Caves State Resort Park.
Although some of the state parks show signs of aging, Parkinson says there’s been an increase in visitors and dollars spent. “We have five percent increase this year. We want to have at least five percent more next year throughout the park system. That’s absolutely doable and I expect that will be happening.”
In addition to Carter Caves, work will also be done at Natural Bridge, Greenbo Lake, General Butler, and Blue Licks Battlefield parks. Parkinson says the overall parks system need runs an estimated 240 million dollars. He holds out great expectations that public-private partnership agreements can help cover those costs.
“You know, we’re the only state left in the south or in the Midwest that doesn’t already have this legislation. We’re getting late to the party. But, the good news is, we have of interest in people coming to Kentucky who want to invest,” noted Parkinson.
The improvements scheduled over the next two years cover everything from roof to sidewalk project to painting and electrical repairs.
