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Hiking at Kentucky State Parks: First Day Hikes Available

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Natural Bridge State Resort Park

A couple admiring the beauty at Natural Bridge State Park while getting fresh air and activity. Well played, couple, well played.

Kentuckians, it’s time to hit the Kentucky State Parks running… or at the very least walking and hiking!  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common risk factor for heart disease isn’t smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, or even high blood pressure. It’s inactivity!  Certainly, all of the others add to a person’s risk, but I was really blown away by the fact that inactivity leads the way.

There’s a national effort gearing up for January 1, 2012 aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles throughout the year at America’s State Parks.  Four Kentucky State Parks will be participating in this highly commendable effort.

The movement is called First Day Hikes and it’s sponsored by America’s State Parks.  It will involve all 50 state park systems, and will allow participants to enjoy the scenery and wildlife at each park as they start the new year.

Kentucky State Parks have more than 250 miles of hiking trails that are open year-round. The parks also offer many other outdoor recreational opportunities such as horseback riding, camping, golf, fishing, boating, playgrounds, sports and more. Resort parks also have lodges, cottages and restaurants. For more information, visit www.parks.ky.gov

 January 1 First Day Hikes at Kentucky State Parks:

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin

Pam Gibson, trails maintenance supervisor at Cumberland Falls, will lead a hike on Trail 2 from the picnic area to the Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower, then back to the lodge by way of Trail 11. The hike will start at 10 a.m. (meet in the lodge) and will be completed by early afternoon. Pam will be providing interpretation along the way. Bring camera, water and a snack. For information, call 1-800-325-0063.

E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park, Louisville

The First Day hike at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park will take place on the Goose Creek Trail, which is 1.25 miles long and is moderate enough for most to hike. The hike will be from 2-4 p.m. and is free. Hot chocolate will be provided at the beginning of the hike. All participants should meet at the picnic grove area across from the archery range. Call 502-429-7270 for information.

Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz

Lake Barkley State Resort Park would like to encourage everyone to kick off the New Year with a healthy start. On Jan. 1, Lake Barkley’s Fitness Center will be offering free admission, and guests can enjoy its indoor pool, nautilus equipment and free weights. Guests can also tour the fitness center and sign up for discounted individual, family or business memberships.  At 10 a.m., the park naturalist will lead a First Day Hike. The naturalist will guide participants on a 2-mile hike past scenic views and in search of bald eagles, wild turkey, deer and other winter wildlife. Those who plan to hike should meet at the fitness center and dress warmly, wear layers of clothing and sturdy, warm hiking boots or shoes, as well as hats and gloves, and bring water. For more information, contact the fitness center at 270-924-1131, ext. 593.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Slade

Douglas Wilder, trails maintenance supervisor at Natural Bridge, will lead a hike on the Original Trail to Natural Bridge and back. The hike will start at approximately 9 a.m. from the lodge and finish at approximately 11-11:30 a.m. Hot chocolate and cider will be served at the end of the hike. Wilder will provide interpretation of history, geology and trees along the way.  Call 1-800-325-1710.

Filed Under: Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park, Featured, Hiking, Lake Barkley SRP, Natural Bridge State Resort Park Tagged With: , , , ,

Louisville Astronomical Society at E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park

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Louisville Astronomical SocietyThe 2011 stargazing season at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park in Louisville begins on Friday, March 11, 2011 at 7 p.m. as the Louisville Astronomical Society opens the doors of the nation’s only state park-based astronomy center to the public.

The Urban Astronomy Center is located in the Root Cellar Building at the back of the park next to a four-acre field where society members set up their telescopes for free viewing of the stars, moon and planets.

“Think of us as an oasis of darkness surrounded by city lights,” LAS President Ken Alderson said. “We want to bring the stars to the public by offering them views through our instruments or teaching them how to use their telescopes.”

The evening will begin at 7 p.m. with an orientation lecture “What’s Up?” in the UAC, a heated facility with a state-of-the-art classroom where participants can take a virtual tour of the solar system on the Star Ship Unbridled Spirit.

Plenty of free parking is available. Take the second entrance into the park from Frey”s Hill Road. The UAC is located at the end of the road past the soccer fields.

For more information and to see all of the 2011 Star Party dates, go to www.louisville-astro.org.

E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park is a 580-acre park within the urban landscape of the city of Louisville. Recreational facilities include an Olympic-size outdoor pool; fully functional gymnasium with basketball, badminton and pickleball courts; athletic fields for soccer, lacrosse and flag football; a three-field softball complex; tennis courts; archery range; radio-controlled airfield; and BMX bicycle track.

Meeting space is abundant in the park with small classrooms in the administrative building or the large reception hall and conference room found at the Sawyer Hayes Community Center. The park also has three picnic shelters.

To visit E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park, take the Gene Snyder (Interstate 265) to Exit 32. Go west on Westport Road to Freys Hill Road. Take Freys Hill Road into the park.

Filed Under: E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park, Events, Louisville, Springtime in Kentucky Tagged With:

State Park Race Series Starts April 9 With Goose Creek 5K

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Kentucky’s weather is just flat showing off this week!  I’m finding it difficult to stay inside.  In fact, after finishing this post, I’m headed out to work in the yard a little:  I’ll sweep the carport, feed the birds, play with the cats, straighten the lawn furniture… you know, anything that keeps me OUTSIDE!

I’m sure you’re as ready for warm weather and warm weather Kentucky events as I am.  Fortunately, there is always something to see and do in Kentucky.  All you have to do is look!

The 7th Annual Kentucky State Park Race Series, including a 5K Family Fun Walk, will start April 9 with the Goose Creek 5K at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Goose Creek 5K is the first of four state park foot races scheduled for 2011. Runners of all ages can take part in all four races to capture the overall championship based on a point system. Additional dates and races are:

  • May 14, Barren River 5K at Barren River State Resort Park near Glasgow;
  • June 11, Possum Ridge 5K at Taylorsville Lake State Park at Taylorsville; and
  • July 9, Magnolia 5K at Rough River Dam State Resort Park near Leitchfield.

Each race has a pre-registration fee of $15 and a race day fee of $20. For $50, runners can sign up for all four races if paid by April 8. Registration for individual races is handled through each individual park. The fee for walkers for individual races is $10 in advance of the race and $15 on race day. Walkers can sign up for all four races for only $30 if paid by April 8. .

To register for all four races, runners should get a registration form and send it to: Kentucky State Parks Race Series, 500 Mero Street, 11th floor, Capital Plaza Tower, Frankfort, Ky. 40601.

All races will begin between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. local time on race day.

Awards will be given to the overall male and female winner of each race and first and second place winners in each male and female age division. The grand prize winners, who must compete in all four races, will be named at the July 9 Magnolia 5K at Rough River. Runners who participate in all four races will receive a certificate and will be registered for a special giveaway.

Registration information is available at the state park race series website at www.parks.ky.gov/raceseries.

If you want to get ready for the race series, visit E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park on March 5 for the 19th Annual Irish Classic 10K.

This race takes you through the park and into the quaint community of Anchorage. The course is essentially flat with a few rolling hills. Early registration fee is $15 per racer and ends Feb. 18, 2011. Late registration and day-of registration are $20 per racer. Participants who register before Feb. 18 are guaranteed an event T-shirt. Day-of registration begins at 7 a.m. with the race starting at 9 a.m. The awards ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. For questions and registration, call 502-429-7270.

You can download a registration form at http://www.parks.ky.gov/findparks/recparks/ep

Filed Under: E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park, Rough River Dam State Resort Park, Taylorsville Lake State Park Tagged With: , , ,
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