Kentucky Outdoor Recreation Plan 2020-2025

Kentucky Outdoor Recreation Plan 2020-2025

October 2019

Department for Local Government Federal Grants Division

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Outdoor Recreation in Kentucky

Assessment, Policies and Actions 2020-2025

Matt Bevin, Governor Commonwealth of Kentucky

Sandy Dunahoo, Commissioner Office of the Governor

Department for Local Government

The Office of the Governor, Department for Local Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin or disability in its programs and activities. Anyone who

believes he or she has been discriminated against for any of these reasons may file a complaint alleging discrimination with either the Department for Local Government or the Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S.

Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240 The preparation of this plan was financed in part by a planning grant under the provisions of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (Public Law 88-578) from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

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Matthew G. Bevin Governor

Commonwealth of Kentucky

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

September 26, 2019

700 Capitol Avenue Suite 100

Frankfort, KY 40601 (502) 564-2611

Fax: (502) 564-2517

Mr. Robert Vogel, Regional Director National Park Service 1849 C Street, Northwest Washington, DC 20240

Dear Mr. Vogel:

It is my pleasure to present the 2020 Kentucky Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). The Kentucky Department for Local Government prepared this five-year plan with extensive input from its fifteen area development districts, several federal, state and local government agencies, and community recreational-user groups.

The 2020 SCORP outlines strategies and recommendations for addressing outdoor recreation to promote healthy lifestyles, boost outdoor recreational activities and tourism in our communities. This plan will also ensure that Kentucky remains eligible to receive federal Land and Water Conservation Funds for outdoor recreational projects throughout the Commonwealth.

We are proud of what Kentucky has to offer with numerous natural areas, parks, sports and play fields. We look forward to bettering our recreational destinations with the continuous funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Program.

Sincerely,



Matthew G. Bevin Governor

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D

Acknowledgements

The Department for Local Government is grateful for the cooperative effort from the leadership and staff of the various federal, state, regional, and local agencies who assisted in the development of this report. A special thanks for the assistance provided by the 15 Area Development Districts, members of the Land and Water Conservation Fund State Advisory Committee and the Recreational Trails Program Advisory Committee.

Office of the Governor Department for Local Government

Office of Federal Grants Amy Barnes, Executive Director Jodie Williams, SCORP Project Coordinator Lee Nalley, SCORP Project Staff Nathan Skates, SCORP Project Staff

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page Introduction/Executive Summary............................................................................................................5

1. SETTING...........................................................................................................................................7

Population and Growth................................................................................................................7 Geography......................................................................................................................................7 Water Resources.........................................................................................................................10 Plant and Animal Life..................................................................................................................12

2. DEMAND FOR RECREATION FACILITIES AND RESOURCES.....................................................16

Reasons for Participation...........................................................................................................16 Recreation Participation.............................................................................................................16 Location of Participation............................................................................................................17 Frequency of Outdoor Activity..................................................................................................18 Average Time Traveled From Home.........................................................................................19 Greatest Obstacles to Participation..........................................................................................19 Importance of Park System........................................................................................................20 Importance of Public Funding to Acquire and Develop Land...............................................21 Alternative Funding Sources......................................................................................................22 Satisfaction by Household..........................................................................................................22 Difficulty Obtaining Funds..........................................................................................................23 Difficulty Preserving Land..........................................................................................................24 Difficulty Managing Issues.........................................................................................................24

3. SUPPLY OF OUTDOOR RECREATION RESOURCES...................................................................26

Federal Agencies.........................................................................................................................26 State Agencies..............................................................................................................................39 Local Governments.....................................................................................................................61

4. TRAILS...........................................................................................................................................66

5. KENTUCKY WETLANDS..............................................................................................................70

6. STATEWIDE OUTDOOR RECREATION GOALS.........................................................................78

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