The Kentucky Parks Commissioner is excited to see all the work that has been completed over the last few years at all of the state parks.
Donnie Holland, a Trigg County native who has been the commissioner since 2016, has had a lot on his plate since he took over the aging park system.
He says the park system is a vital part to the state’s economy.
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Holland adds the parks have a lot of deferred maintenance since they were all built around the same time.
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Deferred maintenance is the practice of postponing maintenance activities such as repairs on infrastructure in order to save costs and meet small budget funding levels.
In 2016 the Kentucky General Assembly passed a bill that gave the park system $18-million, with $20-million given to them in 2018.
He notes they will be receiving additional funding after a bond from the state was approved earlier this year following a major issue at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park near Prestonsburg.
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During the recent General Assembly discussion, the original amount requested for by Holland and his team was $150-million, but when it was all said and done they were only approved for $50-million.
He notes they have been good stewards of the money they receive, especially with repairs at Lake Barkley State Resort Park which will soon include rebuilding the existing wastewater treatment plant.
There are seventeen resorts among the forty-nine state parks and 1,800 buildings, with nearly every building needing some sort of repair.
Holland was a guest speaker during the Cadiz Rotary Club weekly meeting Tuesday afternoon.
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