General Butler State Resort Park in Carrollton will receive upgrades to its lodge and conference center as part of a $3.13 million allotment for safety and upgrades at selected resorts.
In all, five Kentucky State Park resorts will benefit from the funding over the next two years, which is designed to improve safety and aesthetics.
The funding comes from $18 million approved this year by Gov. Matt Bevin and the General Assembly. The improvements include structural repairs, painting and interior and exterior upgrades. The work for the “Refreshing the Finest” campaign will be carried out during 2016 and 2017.
“Our park system is an important part of our state’s tourism economy with an annual economic impact of $889 million,” Tourism, Arts and Heritage Secretary Don Parkinson. “This funding means that these parks receive these much needed upgrades.”
Some of the planned upgrades include:
Carter Caves State Resort Park – painting the lodge and cottages
Greenbo Lake State Resort Park – structural repairs at the lodge
Natural Bridge State Resort Park – roof and sidewalk repairs
General Butler State Resort Park – lodge and conference center painting
Pioneer Museum at Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park – electrical repairs
Much of the work that’s currently underway is being carried out by Kentucky State Park crews, Parks Commissioner Donnie Holland said. Other projects at the 17 resort parks will have to be put out for bid.
“The Kentucky State Parks are glad to have this funding to start addressing some of the needs at our state parks,” Holland said. “It doesn’t cover all of our needs, but it’s a start.”
A portion of the painting has already been completed at Carter Caves. Other work has been started at Lake Cumberland, Pennyrile Forest and Rough River Dam state resort parks.
Parkinson and Holland announced details of some of the projects at the five parks during an appearance at Carter Caves State Resort Park in Olive Hill.
For more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit www.parks.ky.gov .
Commonwealth of Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet