– Jody Norwood/Tribune-Courier || Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park could see shorter hours.

Changes in store for parks

Coursey moves
to block shorter
winter hours


By Jody Norwood
Tribune-Courier News Editor
jnorwood@tribunecourier.com

FRANKFORT – A local lawmaker is already working on legislation that could prevent area state resort parks from closing early during winter hours.

State Rep. Will Coursey announced Friday that he intends to pre-file legislation for the 2011 regular session that would stop a plan to close state resort parks for two days each week in the winter.

The announcement comes just days after the state’s plan was announced, which included shorter winter hours among other sweeping changes. The Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet released the plan aimed at saving about $6 million a year, while attracting new customers.

“We believe state park guests will have a better experience when they visit our parks as a result of this study,” said Parks Commissioner Gerry van der Meer. “This will help us adhere to our core mission – stimulating economic development in rural areas, providing quality recreational programming for our guests and preserving significant natural, historical and cultural resources in Kentucky.”

Days of operation at state resort parks will be reduced during winter months from Nov. 15 through March 15. The 17 resort parks will be open Wednesday through Sunday, closing Monday and Tuesday. Recreational and historic parks will also have reduced winter hours as they have in the past.

The move will effect Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park and Kenlake State Resort Park. In a release, Tourism, Arts and Heritage Secretary Marcheta Sparrow said there were no plans to close Kentucky parks or lay-off employees. The Kentucky State Parks system has 51 parks that include resorts, recreation parks and historic sites.

Coursey contends the parks should be allowed to maintain their normal hours of operation at the discretion of the General Assembly.

“While I certainly understand that tough decisions need to be made in this economy, I think the administration’s proposal sends the wrong message,” said Coursey, D-Benton. “We should be doing all we can to promote our parks before we ever consider putting this type of burden on the backs of those employees who can least afford it.”

Randy Newcomb, the director of the Marshall County Tourist Commission, agreed.

“I’d hate to see the parks close down in the winter,” Newcomb said. “I think there are other things they could do where they wouldn’t have to close the parks. It coud lead to losing money.”

Noting high gas prices and a recent trend for travelers to stay closer to home, Newcomb said the parks may be missing out on travelers.

“I think they should do more to promote the parks,” Newcomb said. I think if they promoted the parks more, they could generate more revenue. Having two state parks in your community makes you realize how important they are to your economy.”

Coursey and Newcomb both said they were surprised to hear of the decision to close early.

“I’m disappointed that legislators were not told during the recent legislative session that this closure could be a possibility, and that we were not warned before the announcement was made this week,” Coursey said. “These employees deserve better.”

Locally, Newcomb said there could be some effect on local businesses who benefit from having the parks, but said there are a variety of options for travelers.
“We’re dealing with two lodging businesses out of 50,” Newcomb said.

The state’s plan follows a comprehensive study of the park system conducted by PROS Consulting. Coursey said the study’s nearly $500,000 cost could have been used to better promote the parks.

Other areas the parks system will focus on include:

 Issuing requests for proposals by private companies to gauge interest in operating the system’s golf courses and selected restaurants. For parks located in areas that allow alcohol sales, the requests will ask vendors to address the possibility of alcohol sales at those locations.

 The Department of Parks will begin using temp agencies for hiring part time seasonal employees.

 All department employees currently working 40 hours per week will begin working 37.5 hours per week by July 15.

 Improvements in park programming that highlight the health benefits of outdoor recreation, adventure tourism and nature education.

Alcohol sales would be permitted at restaurants and golf courses in counties where sales are legal, which is currently prohibited at state parks. Neither of Marshall County’s parks are currently zoned for commercial alcohol sales.

The report recommends a heightened emphasis on adventure tourism, including adventure sport festivals; competitive adventure races in trail running, mountain biking, canoeing or kayaking; additional wildlife viewing; wellness and outdoor events for seniors; and expanded outdoor and wildlife programs for people with disabilities.

For a copy of the report, log on to http://www.parks.ky.gov/news.