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St. Patrick’s Day Events Planned at Beautiful John James Audubon State Park

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John James Audubon Museum

The Gorgeous John James Audubon Museum

One of the most beautiful Kentucky State Parks can be found in Henderson, Kentucky. John James Audubon State Park (and its on-site museum) are absolutely gorgeous. You could easily spend the entire day there and only complain that you’d ran out of time. Many restaurants are well within driving distance – in fact, they’re just minutes from the park and couldn’t be easier to find. They’re all on one road!

That’s the wonderful thing about small to medium sized towns in Kentucky, everything is within reach. More about the restaurants in a minute, I want to share with you some fun St. Patrick’s Day events the park has planned.

From the Kentucky State Parks:

Wear something green and get in free on St. Patrick’s Day at the John James Audubon State Park museum.

The park in Henderson is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 with specials for visitors at the museum, gift shop, and golf course.

Guests who wear green on Saturday receive free museum admission. They can also enjoy “Shamrock baked goods” at the gift shop and receive 20 percent off anything green in the store and 10 percent off any other item in the store. Wear green at the golf course and play 18-holes for the price of 9 (standard cart fees apply); and receive 20 percent off anything green in the pro shop store.

The museum and gift shop are open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 17. The golf course is open from 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

John James Audubon State Park is the site where Audubon studied and painted birds from 1810-1819. The park is equipped with cottages and offers many recreational opportunities, including a nine-hole golf course, six miles of hiking trails, fishing and more. It also has a museum and nature center that interprets Audubon’s life through a collection of his paintings and memorabilia. For more information, visit www.parks.ky.gov or call the park at 270-826-2247.

Now, back to those restaurants! The following are restaurants in Henderson that are within minutes of the park. As you’ll see, you can easily find breakfast, lunch, and/or supper. Trust me, if you explore the wonderful trails or golf course at Audubon, you’ll work up an appetite!

  • Applebee’s
  • Denny’s
  • McDonalds
  • Taco John’s
  • KFC
  • Burger King
  • Arby’s
  • Taco Bell
  • Rally’s
  • Subway
  • Mr. B’s Pizza & Wings
  • Pizza Hut
  • Grandy’s

These are just a few that come to mind – Henderson has a lot of other restaurants as well. A quick Google search will find you whatever your heart (or stomach!) desires.

More Pictures of John James Audubon State Park, its wonderful trails and BEAUTIFUL Museum:

“Pokemon Go” at Kentucky State Parks

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John James Audubon Museum and Nature Center

John James Audubon Museum and Nature Center

Apparently, players of the new “Pokemon Go” game are having luck catching virtual creatures at Kentucky State Parks! Just goes to show you, even virtual creatures know how fun Kentucky State Parks are.

“Pokemon Go” is a ridiculously popular game right now with people of all ages – the best thing about it is that it’s encouraging people to get out and explore as they collect virtual creatures with their Smartphone.

Naturally, visitors are welcome to play the game at state parks and historic sites, however the state parks do have a few safety guidelines.

“All we ask is that they be careful and obey a few basic rules for safety,” said state park Naturalist Robert Myers.

His suggestions for those playing the game include:

  • Be aware of your surroundings, especially along trails, roadways, cliffs, streams and lakes.
  • Stay on hiking trails; do not wander off trails.
  • Be aware of park hours. Some parks close at night.
  • Do not enter private campsites or property.
  • Look up and enjoy some of the great natural and historical surroundings at state parks. You may get to see some real wildlife like a bird or deer.

Pokemon hunters have reported success at Waveland State Historic Site in Lexington, John James Audubon State Park in Henderson and Green River Lake State Park near Campbellsville.

Jenny Wiley State Resort Park in Prestonsburg is planning to have organized hunts for guests during the summer.

Pokemon Go players can also take advantage of the many events and programs at Kentucky State Parks. To find out more about lodging, camping, restaurants and other special events, visit parks.ky.gov.

You can also learn more about Kentucky State Parks and post photos of your Pokemon Go experiences on the Kentucky State Park Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram.

**** Be sure you download the OFFICIAL Pokemon Go app. I just saw a news item about a fake Pokemon Go app on Google Play infecting phones.

More Pictures of John James Audubon State Park:

5 Kentucky State Parks Recognized in Kentucky Living Magazine’s April Issue

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Talk about deserved recognition! Five Kentucky State Parks were recognized in Kentucky Living magazine’s 2016 Reader’s Choice Awards published in April.

The magazine’s annual travel issue presents the winners based on voting by readers for 20 categories.

“We appreciate the support from the voters and Kentucky Living magazine,” said Parks Commissioner Donnie Holland. “All of our parks are special places and the recognition they receive is a credit to our staff and our visitors.” Kentucky Living April 2016 Issue

The following parks received recognition:

  • Selfie Location: 1st Place, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin; 2nd Place, Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Slade.
  • Museum: 1st Place, John James Audubon State Park, Henderson.
  • Outdoor Recreation Spot: 2nd Place, John James Audubon State Park, Henderson.
  • Horseback Riding Trail: 2nd Place, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin.
  • Vacation Getaway: 2nd Place, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin; 3rd Place, Lake Cumberland State Resort Park, Jamestown.
  • Hall of Fame, Golf Course: General Burnside Island State Park entered the magazine’s Hall of Fame for being voted first place in the same category three consecutive years.

Other parks already in the magazine’s Hall of Fame include Cumberland Falls State Resort Park for scenic view and Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site for Civil War site.

To view the entire April issue of Kentucky Living, visit: www.kentuckyliving.com and click on “magazine.”

For more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit: www.parks.ky.gov

Kentucky State Parks: Monarch Butterfly Waystations

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Human Impact Marker at John James Audubon State Park

 Human Impact Marker at John James Audubon State Park (The tree is pictured below)

I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve been called a “tree hugger” or “modern day Snow White.”  You know what I’d do with the millions? You got it – do all I could to save all the trees, animals, bird, and butterflies in the world!

That’s how we Snow Whites roll.

I’ve always had a huge soft spot for the beautiful things around us that completely depend upon our human kindness and decency. Trees, birds, butterflies, dragonflies, animals, oceans, lakes… they can’t defend themselves or put up any sort of lasting protection against human greed, laziness, and/or ignorance.

Fortunately, there are LOTS of people who are willing to get on the front lines and offer the protection and compassion that these beautiful things need. Protection that’ll keep them around for generations after us to enjoy… not just read about!

Below is a recent press release from the Kentucky State Parks that detail such an effort.

More than a dozen Kentucky State Parks are working on projects to help Monarch butterflies by preserving habitat and planting milkweed plants the butterflies need for survival.

The butterflies – easily identified because of their orange and black colors – are known for their annual journeys to Mexico each year for winter hibernation. Some scientists are concerned that loss of habitat is causing a decline in the Monarch population in some areas.

Five state parks – Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Waveland State Historic Site, Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site and John James Audubon State Park – are certified Monarch “waystations” through Monarch Watch, a group working to protect the butterflies. The park system also uses a children’s menu that illustrated the life cycle of Monarch butterflies, designed by the Garden Club of Kentucky.

“We’re very proud at Kentucky State Parks to be part of this initiative to educate people about these special insects.  This shows that we all can make a difference and do something to preserve a part of our natural world.” – Parks Commissioner Elaine Walker

Ten other parks are in the process of getting certified or have planted milkweed plants. The waystations are places where milkweeds are planted to provide food and a place for Monarchs to lay their eggs.

Lincoln Homestead State Park near Springfield reduced mowing and the use of chemicals to allow a 10,000-square-foot section area to grow milkweed over the last two years. Monarchs have been seen on the area.

The park system began working on the Monarch project in 2013 with the Garden Club of Kentucky.

“We began working with state parks in 2013 and many of them expressed interest in the waystation project. The parks have been a great way to spread the word about this program and help us explain why it’s important.” – Joanna Kirby (Served as president of the Garden Club of Kentucky from 2013-2015)

Governor Steve Beshear has proclaimed September as “Monarch Butterfly Awareness Month” for Kentucky. Three parks have special events planned in September related to Monarch butterflies.

Jenny Wiley State Resort Park in Prestonsburg is hosting a “Butterfly and Native Plant Weekend” Sept. 25-27 that will feature seminars, workshops, field trips and Monarch tagging. A two-night lodging package that includes meals and program registration is available for $250 a person. Registration for the program is $30 a person. Call 1-800-325-0142 for reservations and information.

John James Audubon State Park in Henderson will present its “Monarch Butterfly Migration Mysteries” program on Sept. 12 and 19. Guests will learn about Monarch migration and then go out and tag Monarchs to study where they travel. The cost is $5 a person or $15 for a family. Programs start at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. each day. Call 270-826-2247.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park is hosting its Caterpillar Weekend Sept. 11-12. There will be walks and presentations both days, plenty of photographic opportunities, and programs for kids. The fee is $10 for adults and $5 for youths 17 and under. Call the park at 1-606-663-2214 for more information.

For more information about the Monarch waystations, visit www.monarchwatch.org

John James Audubon State Park (Human Impact Tree)

 “We each choose to be a help or a hindrance.”

10 Fast Facts About John James Audubon State Park and the Audubon Museum

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Audubon Museum & Nature Center

  1. John James Audubon State Park was established on October 3, 1934. The Park includes 692 acres of breath-taking beauty. Since it’s a Heaven on Earth for birds, it only stands to reason that it’s also a Heaven on Earth for bird lovers.
  2. The park is located on a MAJOR bird migratory route, so bird lovers of all levels will enjoy an ever-changing, colorful variety of feathered park residents.
  3. A bird checklist is available in the beautiful Welcome Center. Over 160 birds are listed – which will give you some idea of the great number of birds that enjoy the park.
  4. The Audubon Museum and Nature Center (pictured above) is an absolutely gorgeous French chateau. Birds nest in the niches of the tower. The entire setting is like something out of a fairy tale.
  5. The Museum and guest cottages, by one of the park’s small lakes, were built in 1938. Cobbled courtyards, retaining walls, and park office buildings match the main building’s beautiful architecture.
  6. A life-size diorama in the museum shows one of the greatest artists of all time, John James Audubon, at work.
  7. Audubon family possessions in the museum include a silver service that Audubon bought for his wife, Lucy, to replace one they’d had to sell during a financially difficult time.
  8. There’s a large, circular viewing room in the Nature Center with big, beautiful plate glass windows for viewing birds at the many feeding stations. The Nature Center comprises three areas: a wildlife Observation Room, a Discovery Center with hands-on exhibits, and the Learning Center.
  9. There are nine trails of varying length at Audubon. Click here for a description of each trail.
  10. Not only can you fish for largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish from the banks of the 28-acre lake, you can even get free fishing gear to do so!

More Information:

Trails Behind the Audubon Museum and Nature Center

The trails at John James Audubon State Park are some of the most beautiful trails we’ve ever seen.

 

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