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Rock Climbing in Kentucky: Breaks Interstate Park

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If you’re planning your Kentucky adventures for the summer (and feel particularly adventurous!), here’s something you’ll find interesting: Breaks Interstate Park is now officially open for rock climbing.

Breaks Interstate Park  – located in the Commonwealths of Kentucky and Virginia –  is one of only two interstate parks in the nation. With an already impressive repertoire of recreational opportunities headlined by world class paddling in the Russell Fork River, rock climbing will strengthen its draw as a destination for adventure tourism.

Beginning in 2014 with a park-wide master planning process, local Pikeville climber Kylie Schmidt brought attention to the subject. Schmidt and other key partners worked to develop regulations, which were adopted by Breaks Interstate Park Commission in April of 2015.

“Having taken trips to the Red River Gorge and other popular climbing areas, I realized that the Breaks Park, my home park, had the same potential,” said Schmidt.

Park staff, the Access Fund and the Southwest Virginia Climbers Coalition worked to establish a Climbing Management plan that allows for a great deal of climbing access while still protecting sensitive areas of the park.

“Breaks is home to important plants and wildlife,” said Park Manager Austin Bradley. “We took a balanced approach and are now very excited to welcome rock climbers to the park. We expect this to have a positive economic impact on both the park and the entire region.”

“The Breaks is a fantastic and extensive sandstone climbing resource,” said Southeast Regional Director of the Access Fund Zachery Lesch-Huie. “This process has been one of the most successful park-climber partnerships.”

The Breaks Interstate Park canyon is lined with miles of orange and grey sandstone walls, similar to nearby climbing areas Obed Wild and Scenic River, and the New River Gorge in Tennessee and West Virginia, respectively. The Breaks currently contains 75 established routes, with the potential for hundreds more.

Climbers at the Breaks Interstate Park are required to get a free climbing permit which may be obtained at the Visitor Center or Lodge. Climbing is only open in approved areas of the park. Route information is available on www.mountainproject.com.

To learn more about all there is to do at Breaks Interstate Park, visit www.breakspark.com or the Breaks Interstate Park Section on Ky State Parks’ Official Website.

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

2016 Kentucky State Parks Family Adventure Quest

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Time does nothing but flat out fly! 2016 actually marks the 11th year for the Kentucky State Parks Family Adventure Quest – the digital photo scavenger hunt for families or friends – and it seems like the first one was just last year.

The following is a great description of the Family Adventure Quest, straight from the Kentucky State Parks:

Kentucky State Parks Adventure Quest 2015

Team Avengers, 2015

Learn park history and search for the perfect photo op as you explore Kentucky State Parks at your own pace throughout 2016!  Teams will choose an east or a west booklet when registering.  This means that about one-third of the quests which are park-specific, will be in the eastern or western half of the state.

The remaining two-thirds are not tied to any particular park and can be completed wherever the team chooses to visit based on the challenge. You may be seeking an historic building, hunting for critter tracks, or exploring a golf course!  Let your quest booklet serve as a guide to a year’s worth of adventures with your friends or family.

Teams have until Dec. 2, 2016, to complete as many quests as they like in an effort to have fun and win prizes. It’s a great goal-oriented way to explore the natural, cultural, and historical resources of the nation’s finest park system.

A digital camera is necessary to capture your team’s fun along your journey, and your photos just might show up on the park website or Facebook page. In fact, you can earn a point just for sharing a picture of your team on a quest to the Kentucky State Park’s Facebook page.

Participants from 2 months old to 73 years young enjoyed the quest in 2015, and once they start, many teams repeat year after year. Thirty-four teams of the 142 that signed up in 2015 were repeat participants. One team has participated for 10 years now!

Team Avengers from Louisville completed their second year in 2015.

“Our family enjoyed exploring parts of our beautiful state that we may not have ever made time for. Thanks!” said team captain Kriston Glasnovic.

The Avengers completed 11 quests, which earned them a lodging certificate and three passes to the park fort, house tour, or museum of their choice.

By correctly completing just 10 or more quests, a team will receive a certificate for a one-night stay at the park lodge of its choice (Sunday through Thursday) and free passes to park museums or forts. Complete 20 quests and receive the lodge stay and passes, plus a $25 Kentucky State Parks gift card. Complete 25 quests and get the lodge stay, passes and a $50 gift card.

There are actually four bonus opportunities, so if there is a quest you don’t want to do, you can choose one of the bonus quests to take its place.

“Loved the bonuses. It was great to have options and be able to get 25 quests completed,” said Ivy Jones, captain of Team Wild Jones,’ from Elizabethtown, who also finished their second year of participation in 2015 and won the top prize!

Teams have until Dec. 2, 2016 to submit their quest booklet and CD of photos. If planned out properly, the first prize level can be attained by visiting as few as four different parks.

A $15 registration fee gets you the quest booklet, a commemorative bandanna map, a compass (yes, to be used for a quest), bonus coupons for some of the destinations involved, and informational materials to help you along your way.

More details and registration forms can be downloaded at www.parks.ky.gov (look for the “Family Adventure Quest” button), where you can peruse the photo gallery of past participants.  You can also pick up a registration form at any Kentucky State Park starting in February.

Photo Credit: Kentucky State Parks

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.”

Western Kentucky State Park Race Series: 2015 Dates

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Kenlake State Resort Park

 KENLAKE Sign That Graced the Old Golf Course!

The Western Kentucky State Park Race Series will begin Aug. 8 with the Hot August 5K at Kenlake State Resort Park near Aurora.

The Hot August 5K is the first of five state park footraces scheduled in western Kentucky for 2015. Runners of all ages can take part in all five races to capture the overall championship based on a point system.

Participants may register online at: https://secure.test.kentucky.gov/formservices/Parks/WesternKYRaceSeries

Additional dates, times (all times local) and races are:

–        Sept. 26, 8 a.m.: Run Through the Forest 5K at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park near Dawson Springs.

–        Oct. 24, 4:30 p.m.: Trick or Trot 5K at Lake Barkley State Resort Park near Cadiz.

–        Nov. 7, 7 p.m.: Stars and Stripes 5K at Kentucky Dam Village State Park near Gilbertsville.

–        Dec. 5, 2 p.m.: Reindeer Run 5K at John James Audubon State Park in Henderson.

The first four races have a registration fee of $25. The final race has a registration fee of $30 (includes long-sleeve T-shirt). All participants may register for a discounted fee through online registration athttps://secure.test.kentucky.gov/formservices/Parks/WesternKYRaceSeries  For $85, runners can sign up for all five races if paid by Aug. 7.

To register for the series, runners should complete a registration form, available on the website http://parks.ky.gov/western-ky-race-series/ and send it to: Kentucky State Parks Race Series, Attn:  Lisa Deavers, 500 Mero St., 11th Floor, Capital Plaza Tower, Frankfort, KY. 40601, or register online athttps://secure.test.kentucky.gov/formservices/Parks/WesternKYRaceSeries.

Race times vary, with the Hot August 5K beginning at 7:30 a.m. CDT.  Check information on each race for the specific start time.

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 five races, will be named at the Dec. 5 Reindeer Run 5K. Overall series winners and runners-up receive gift cards in addition to their trophies. Series participants who complete all five races will receive a certificate and will be registered for a special giveaway.

Registration information is available at the state park race series website athttp://parks.ky.gov/western-ky-race-series/. You may also email or call Lisa Deavers at lisa.deavers@ky.gov or 502-564-8110, ext 246.

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