Kentucky State Parks to celebrate National Public Lands Day

Events are Sept. 20 and 27

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 12, 2014) — Kentucky State Parks will be participating in National Public Lands Day on Sept. 20 and 27.

Last year, about 180,000 volunteers participated nationally in the event

During last year’s celebration, volunteers in Kentucky and other states carried out projects such as removing trash, collecting invasive plants, building trails and planting trees.

Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas: Trashmaster Classic, Sept. 20

• Barren River Lake State Resort Park and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invite you to attend Trashmaster’s Classic Lakeshore Cleanup sponsored by Friends of Barren River Lake and Park. This is a National Public Lands Day event. Come lend a hand as we clean up the shoreline!  After all your hard work, drive over to Barren River Lake State Resort Park from noon to 3 p.m. for free food, door prizes, and live entertainment. Call 270-646-2151.

Big Bone Lick State Historic Site, Union: Great Outdoors Weekend, Sept. 27

• Join the Friends of Big Bone from noon to 4 p.m. for a day of demonstrations, lectures, and hikes concerning local history, archaeology, and paleontology at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site. Tours are conducted by representatives from the Cincinnati Museum Center, Mount St. Joseph University and Xavier University. Call 859-384-3522.

Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park, Buckhorn: National Public Lands Day, Sept. 27

• Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park will celebrate 2014 National Public Lands Day on Sept. 27 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Although geared toward Scout groups, all children and adults are welcome to participate and help in a variety of projects including a mini cleanup, clearing ditch lines and beautification projects on the park. Register at the lodge. Dress for muddy conditions. Call 1-800-325-0058.

Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill: Tygart Gorge and Arches Hike, Sept. 27

• Join Carter Caves State Resort Park for a nine-mile guided hike. You’ll see a beautiful gorge created by Tygart Creek, natural bridges and cool streams. The terrain is moderately difficult.  Bring a sack lunch, good hiking boots, footwear for crossing the creek, several bottles of water and a backpack. Some optional items you may want are sunscreen, camera, sunglasses, binoculars, trekking poles or a hiking stick. There is a $12 fee for this hike. Registration required. Call 1-800-325-0059 for more information and to make reservations.  Registered participants can meet at the Carter Caves Welcome Center at 9:30 a.m.

Columbus-Belmont State Park, Columbus: Trails and Trenches Preservation Day, Sept. 27

• Columbus-Belmont State Park will be participating in National Public Lands Day by holding a “Trails and Trenches” Preservation Day.  Volunteers are needed to pick up trash, cut limbs and brush, and replace signs and fences. Work starts at 9 a.m. Sign-up will be at Shelter B. Bring rakes, grabbers and gloves. There will be free museum admission for all who participate. Call 270-677-2327.

Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Prestonsburg: Clean Up Dewey Lake, Sept. 27

• Volunteers and boats are needed to help clean up the lake and shoreline. Bags and gloves will be provided. This event starts at 9 a.m. at Terry’s Boat Ramp. The park is partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on this project. Call Cecil Cox at 606-886-6709 for information.

John James Audubon State Park, Henderson: National Public Lands Day Volunteer Workday, Sept. 27

• National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort for America’s public lands. Lunch will be provided for volunteers at John James Audubon State Park. This event is co-sponsored by the Audubon Outdoor Club. This is a great opportunity for church groups, Scouts and others to help beautify the park. Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for the weather and for trail improvement projects. The work session will be from 8 a.m. to noon. Meet at the park office. Groups and individuals interested in volunteering should contact Mark Kellen at 270-826-2247 or [email protected]

Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Jamestown: Lake Cumberland Cleanup, Sept. 20

• You are invited to roll up your sleeves, lace up your boots and put on your work gloves to take part in the 25th annual Lake Cumberland Cleanup on Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Lake Cumberland State Resort Park boat ramp. The cleanup is held at locations all over the lake in an effort to remove trash, tires, appliances, and other debris from the shoreline of Lake Cumberland.  Gloves and garbage bags will be furnished. Cash prizes awarded for the most garbage collected. Participants are asked to check in on the day of the cleanup. Call 606-451-1402 for information.

Nolin Lake State Park, Mammoth Cave: Lakeshore Cleanup Campaign, Sept. 20

• The sixth annual Lakeshore Clean-up Campaign is a great opportunity for the whole family to volunteer, make a difference on Nolin Lake and enjoy environmental stewardship in our community. Participants can show up at Moutardier Ramp, Wax Ramp, Dog Creek Ramp or Nolin Lake State Park Ramp at 8 a.m. on Sept. 20 to help keep Nolin River Lake beautiful. Bring your pontoon to help transport volunteers along the lakeshore. At noon, volunteers will take a break and meet at Wax for music, food and prizes. This event is co-sponsored by Friends of Nolin Lake. For information, call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at 270-286-4511.

Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site, Wickliffe: Community Day, Sept. 27

• Free admission is offered Sept. 27 to say thanks to the community. Volunteers will be able to clean the park and trails starting at 10 a.m. (Please register by calling the park.) The park will also have entertainment at 11 a.m. and will also celebrate Kentucky Archaeology Month. Kit Wessler, professor of archaeology from Murray State University, will present a program at 2 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Call 270-335-3681.