Bill to boost funding for Kentucky state parks heads to governor’s desk

House Bill 268, which will boost funding for Kentucky’s state park system, passed both the Kentucky Senate and House of Representatives and has been delivered to Governor Matt Bevin’s desk to be signed.

The legislation will allow the Commonwealth to borrow up to $75 million for improvements at state parks on a 20-year tax-exempt bond. The increased funding will help implement the second phase of Bevin’s “Refreshing the Finest” Initiative. The initiative features upgrades to all of Kentucky’s state resort parks, from new roofing to campground improvements.  

“Kentucky’s state parks are a true gem, and we are dusting them off so that they will once again sparkle and shine,” Bevin said in a recent press release.

Kentucky’s state park system has a footprint in 54 of Kentucky’s counties with 49 parks covering 45,000 acres with 1,800 buildings. These parks have a significant fiscal and economic impact on counties, pumping millions of dollars into the local economy and supporting thousands of jobs.

Planned Updates

New Roofing

• Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park
• Barren River Lake State Resort Park
• Jenny Wiley State Resort Park
• Rough River Dam State Resort Park

Roof, Wall and Window Repairs

• John James Audubon State Park

Utility Improvements

• Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park
• Lake Barkley State Resort Park
• Pine Mountain State Resort Park

Campground Improvements

• Barren River Lake
• Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park
• Carter Caves State Resort Park
• General Burnside State Park
• Lake Cumberland