(EMAILWIRE.COM, September 02, 2011 ) FRANKFORT, KY -- The Kentucky State Parks will be participating in National Public Lands Day on Sept. 24, 2011, 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 2,000 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 AmericaÂ’s natural heritage.
During last yearÂ’s celebration, volunteers across the country country carried out more than $15 million in improvements by removing trash, collecting invasive plants, building trails and planting trees.
In a proclamation, Gov. Steve Beshear noted the importance of public lands. “Public lands provide locally accessible natural and cultural resources for environmental learning, wildlife appreciation, and recreation,” Beshear said in the proclamation.
Here are the Kentucky State ParksÂ’ events:
(Some parks are having National Public Lands Day events on Sept. 17 due to conflicts with other events.)
Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas
Sept. 24
Paddle on beautiful Barren River Lake and into a peaceful adjacent creek to see some of southern KentuckyÂ’s breathtaking landscape. The trip lasts approximately 5-6 hours on Class I water. Leave No Trace principles will be taught along the way! Preregistration is required. The registration fee is $20/participant, which includes instruction, use of canoe, paddle, life jacket, and guided tour. Must be 12 years or older. Minimum 6, limited to 14 paddlers maximum. Call 1-800-325-0057 for more information.
Sept. 17
Trashmasters Classic
Join Barren River, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Friends of Barren River, and WBKO 13 for the annual lakeshore cleanup. Spend the morning collecting trash, then meet at the beach for lunch and live entertainment. Door prizes will be awarded. Contact Jamie Avery at 1-800-325-0057 or jamie.avery@ky.gov for more information.
Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn
Sept. 24
Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park is celebrating National Public Lands Day from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Several work projects are planned including trail repair, leaf pickup, weeding, trash pickup, cleaning ditch lines and planting of trees. Trees can be planted in memory or in honor of someone you choose. A plaque will be placed in front of the tree with the appropriate designation. Each tree costs $15 and the plaque is $7.50. To order your tree and plaque, send a check for $22.50, with information for the plaque, to: Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, 4441 Ky. Hwy 1833, Buckhorn, Ky., 41721, Attn: Sue Thomas. (In the memo section of the check, please write “tree planting.”)
After 1 p.m. on Sept. 24, Project Learning Tree activities will be featured in the afternoon. Topics include: Trees of Kentucky, We All Need Trees, Forest of Many Uses and Tree Anatomy. We are looking forward to seeing you at this event. Call 1-800-325-0058.
Columbus-Belmont State Park, Columbus
Sept. 24
Columbus-Belmont State Park will join other parks and public sites in celebrating National Public Lands Day with service and recreation on public lands. The event also encourages volunteers to explore and enjoy America's natural wonders through outdoor recreation. Work will begin at 9 a.m. and volunteers will meet near the snack bar. Volunteers can enjoy the beautiful Columbus-Belmont State Park and learn about the history of the Civil War by visiting the museum and hiking the historic Confederate trenches. Call 270-677-2327.
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin
Sept. 24
The park will sponsor a cleanup of the Fire Tower Trail and landing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Garbage bags and gloves will be provided. 1-800-325-0063.
E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park, Louisville
Sept. 24
The park will sponsor a “Fantasy Land Festival” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children will have the opportunity to do various nature activities and go on a short hike to demonstrate the need to stop littering and to care for the land by picking up litter. Activities include face painting, wand designing, honeysuckle crown decorating, leaf collages and fairy house building. A nature hike will start at 1 p.m. and last for about one hour. There will be snacks and juice available for participants. Kids who want to wear costumes or dress up in their best nature outfits are encouraged to do so! Fee is $3 per child. Call 502-429-7270.
General Butler State Resort Park, Carrollton
Sept. 17
Help General Butler celebrate National Public Lands Day from 4-7 p.m. on Sept. 17. Local police and fire departments will be on hand to share safety tips. Homemade ice cream, face painting and other fun activities for children will be available. At 7 p.m., everyone is invited to the “Play ’er Again Concert” series at the Butler-Turpin House. Call 1-888-462-8853.
Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, Greenup
Sept. 24
Greenbo Lake will hold a lakeshore cleanup along with a Fern Valley Trail cleanup beginning at 9:30 a.m. Meet at the marina. Call 1-800-325-0083 for more information.
John James Audubon State Park, Henderson
Sept. 24
In celebration of National Public Lands Day, John James Audubon State Park will host a Tree Stroll and Recreation Lake Cleanup at 9 a.m. from Cardinal Shelter. Trash bags, disposable gloves and bottled water will be provided during this activity. Register by contacting Julie McDonald at Juliea.mcdonald@ky.gov or 270-826-2247. Please specify the number of people you are bringing. Enjoy the beautiful views and help the environment during National Public Lands Day.
Kenlake State Resort Park, Aurora
Sept. 24
Get outdoors! Get dirty! Have fun! Join volunteers of all ages at Kenlake State Resort Park on Sept. 24 for National Public Lands Day. Volunteers will plant flowers for the fall from 9-11 a.m. There will be a cookout at 11 a.m. Call 270-474-2211 for information.
Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Jamestown; and General Burnside State Park, Burnside
Sept. 17
The Friends of Lake Cumberland Inc. invite you to roll up your sleeves, lace up your boots, and put on your work gloves to take part in the annual Lake Cumberland Cleanup. The cleanup is held at locations around the lake to remove tires, appliances and other trash. Gloves and garbage bags will be furnished. Participants are asked to check in on the day of the cleanup at one of the following locations: General Burnside State Park, Waitsboro Recreation Area and Conley Bottom Resort; Lake Cumberland State Park (Launching Ramp), Grider Hill Dock and Cave Springs Marina (Jabez Area – Island Ramp Road) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a volunteer picnic with food and prizes at 3 p.m. The event is supported by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. For more information, call Steve Syphax at 606-451-1402.
Lake Malone State Park, Dunmore
Sept. 24
Love the outdoors? Lake Malone State Park will be performing trail cleanup on National Public Lands Day. Volunteers are asked to meet at the park office at 9 a.m. for a morning of hiking and trash pickup. Please wear sturdy hiking shoes and gloves. Trash bags, disposable gloves and bottled water will be provided to participants. Cleanup will last until 11 a.m. Call 270-657-2111 for more information.
Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Slade
Sept. 24
Do you want your children to learn the value of protecting the beauty of our natural areas? For National Public Lands Day, the naturalists at Natural Bridge will be offering Leave No Trace – Kid’s Day. Fun and engaging activities will help children ages 5-12 learn the important Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. All children must be accompanied by an adult for the activities. All morning activities will meet at the Whittleton Campground picnic shelter and all afternoon activities will meet at the Hemlock Lodge lobby. Activities will include decorating Leave No Trace hiking sticks at 9 a.m., a Leave No Trace kids’ walk and games at 10:30 a.m., a litter cleanup at 1 p.m., face painting at 3 p.m., and a special musical performance at 4 p.m. by talented artist and musician Debbie Tuggle Pendley. She specializes in children’s music and has a wonderful environmental stewardship message. A more detailed agenda can be obtained at the naturalist’s blog: http://www.kspappdev.com/blogs/natural-bridge
For more information, contact Park Naturalist Brian Gasdorf at brian.gasdorf@ky.gov or 606-663-2214.
Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Dawson Springs
Sept. 24
Come show your support for public lands at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park's National Public Lands Day. Volunteers of all ages and abilities will help park workers revitalize the park. Projects include painting, trail maintenance, litter pickup, graffiti removal, gardening and much more. When you register, please let us know if you are coming by yourself or with a group. You may sign up for the task that best fits your skill sets. Volunteers may work for half a day (9 a.m. - noon or noon – 3 p.m.) or a whole day (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.) Those who volunteer for an entire day will be eligible for a lunch discount. All volunteers will need to complete volunteer forms. To register, contact Rebecca Clark at 270-797-3421 or rebeccae.clark@ky.gov
Old Mulkey Meeting House State Historic Site, Tompkinsville
Sept. 17
Participants will be painting picnic tables and pulling invasive weeds. The fun will start at 9:30 a.m. and last until 4:30 p.m. Call 270-487-8481 for information.
Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Pineville
Sept. 24
In observation of National Public Lands Day, the park’s naturalist will lead a “Pitch In” hike to Chained Rock, one of the park’s unique geologic features. In addition to collecting litter along the way, participants will enjoy beautiful mountain scenery and learn the colorful story of historic Chained Rock. The hike is strenuous, so wear sturdy boots. Time: 2 hours; ages 6 and up. Total hiking distance is 1 mile and is rated as moderately strenuous. Preregistration is required; departure time is 10 a.m. Register by emailing Dean.Henson@ky.gov or by phone at 800-325-1712. A minimum of 5 participants is required to conduct the program.
Taylorsville Lake State Park, Taylorsville
Sept. 24
Taylorsville Lake State Park, in conjunction with the Taylorsville Lake Conservation Association, is holding the 12th Annual Taylorsville Lake Clean Sweep in observance of National Public Lands Day on Sept. 24, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Volunteers are needed, and all are welcome! To volunteer, call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office at 502-477-8882 or the park at 502-477-8713. Meet at the Taylorsville Lake State Park picnic shelter at Possum Ridge. Volunteers should wear old clothes, work gloves and sturdy shoes. Volunteers will be provided a free lunch, prizes and a cleaner lake!
Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site, Wickliffe
Sept. 24
Help preserve the archaeological site, facilities and grounds at Wickliffe Mounds by cleaning the trail, picnic area 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. Wickliffe Mounds museum is participating in the Smithsonian's free Museum Day and there will be free museum admission to all visitors. At 1:30 p.m. there will be a preliminary meeting for interest in forming a Friends of Wickliffe Mounds group. Call the park office for more information at 270-335-3681 or email Carla Hildebrand, park manager, at carla.hildebrand@ky.gov
