Kentucky hopes to spur economic activity and give residents more options for in-state travel by reopening tourism, Gov. Andy Beshear announced.
The state will reopen state resort parks, recreational parks, lodges and cabins to the public on June 1. However, guests will be required to follow social distancing and public health guidelines to prevent spreading the coronavirus, officials said.
“As the state focuses on rebuilding the economy, reopening tourism plays a significant role in generating revenue, opening business doors and helping more Kentuckians get back to work,” the governor said.
The state parks will start taking reservations on Tuesday, May 19.
However, the state’s jewel among state parks, Lake Barkley State Resort Park in Trigg County, will remain closed.
Barkley, along with Lake Cumberland and Blue Licks Battlefield state resort parks, have been designated as housing for coronavirus patients with relatively mild symptoms. Barkley’s lodge is being used mainly to house first-responders who want to protect their households from potential exposure to the coronavirus.
Along with efforts to help the tourism industry, beginning Monday, May 22, groups of 10 people or fewer people will be allowed to gather. Also that day, the state travel ban will expire.
The state plans more announcements soon about reopening additional sites operated by the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet.
(Jennifer P. Brown is the editor and founder of Hoptown Chronicle. Reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org.)
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
