♪ >> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KU Team Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ Good evening and welcome to a special edition of Kentucky EDITION.

I'm Renee Shaw.

We hope you had a great day.

>> We thank you.

Starting off your evening with us tonight.

We're spotlighting Kentucky State parks as it celebrates a milestone anniversary.

This year, the state park system turns 100 years old.

It was created in 1924.

When Kentucky's General Assembly established a state Park commission tasked with finding significant natural and historical sites throughout the Commonwealth by 1926.

Kentucky had its first for state parks, High Mountain Natural Bridge for terror it and then now closed blue and gray state park.

Today there are more than 40 state park spanning 50,000 acres across the commonwealth with a diverse mix of recreational and historical sites.

State parks attract tourists from around the world bringing in more than 50 million dollars annually to Kentucky.

The financial contribution is one of the many ways state parks and riches, the lives of Kentuckians.

According to Governor Andy Beshear, he joins state tourism and parks leaders at the old State Capitol in Frankfort earlier this week to Mark Kentucky State Park Centennial birthday.

♪ >> Our mission at Kentucky State Parks is focused on creating memorable experiences, providing a sense of place and preserving the historic and natural integrity.

The state parks for existing and future generations from big bone lick to Dale Hollow.

From Jenny Wiley to John James Audubon, Kentucky state parks, our home to an incredible range of geography and experiences.

The park system holds a special plate in the heart of Kentuckians and is one of our most beloved legacies, our parks, our source of family entertainment.

>> A place to make special memories where we teach our kids how to fish, how to ride a bike.

And we introduce them to the outdoors.

They also serve as a place to educate our children about the beauty and the uniqueness of our Commonwealth.

I perhaps more than any other governor know how our parks have been a lifeline to Kentucky ends in their greatest times of need.

When disaster struck in the Commonwealth when an EF 4 tornado took out 70% of my dad's hometown.

It was the state park right next to it.

That opens its doors.

But House families that I KET folks that have lost everything their home, just a pile of rubble.

New, a safe place where they can get a hot meal where people that they KET said we've got you and we're going to stand with you.

It was after flooding, but multiple state parks, one, the didn't even have power at the time that it opened.

Welcome people in that literally only had the clothes on their back.

Our people and our state parks has stepped up and provided the type of compassion of empathy, the being there at everybody's worst moment and letting them know that there'll be better days ahead.

Those memories we make how we spend our time here on our special moments that we have with our families.

That's what makes up the tapestry of our lives.

That's what makes it all worth it.

And I think about all those memories that are made in our state parks and it shows us that we're doing the right thing by our people.

>> Kentucky state Parks is planning a number of events and programs throughout the year to celebrate its centennial birthday.

You can find a list of events by going online to parks Dot K Y dot Gov.

Kentucky State Park took its place in history when it opened in 1951. located adjacent to the whites only can Lake State Park Cherokee State Park was the state's first and only park for African-Americans.

It was also one of only 6 open to African Americans in the U.S. during the Jim Crow era making it a popular vacation spot for African-Americans until it closed in 1964, when segregation was outlawed.

Now there are efforts to preserve the park and its history.

>> The very nature they had the spotless progress.

But the very nature that they had the head.

It's a conflict.

Mimi, the very name today.

Blacks and whites that cannot enjoy outdoors together.

That's a complex.

I received a grant from a the national.

His story, African-American fun National Historical Trust.

And so the from the grant was to do something to promote the park.

And so what I realized is that people didn't know what the fork.

They didn't know.

Where was.

Even coming in faster.

They didn't know what to do.

If they did know history.

So I feel a movie was necessary to communicate to people what it was about.

If you look at where this party and look, what can lake is is literally.

>> 70, he like is over there.

The charities only and that's one of those things.

While war was one place.

>> Well, the white world was one place and the black the war was in a place.

So this park is symbolic of that.

>> The rules that they used.

To develop segregated parks.

They use that all the which meant that most of the time, all the facilities we're in one area and then the secretary park was very far away from from everything else.

And so for me when I would first go out to Cherokee.

I would think to myself, it's such a beautiful nation spot.

You're right on the water.

It's very secluded.

Nice.

And then through my education of that process and everything that went through Macon, segregated Parks.

I realize that that was that was intentional.

That that wasn't like, hey, this is a beautiful spot.

It was more of where can we do something on the way?

>> And the park was a place where African-Americans in Kentuckyian calm when they couldn't come to know the places.

In a word you couldn't participate in activities in state of the state parks.

>> Get that out and see this.

The first they said good part.

First, a single to park in the South.

The black facility was a mirror.

Otherwise the city Mimi, it was all the things that the wind park.

>> So down here, they had a lot.

They had a beat.

Everything they had.

The white City had down here.

They came down here for family reunions, private parties.

So it was a hot spot.

But that everybody all kind of classes came.

That was special because, you know, segregation days.

>> It was no known cause too, for the classes to separate.

So.

They had to come together.

So Turkey was a place where they happen.

>> Unfortunately, I don't feel like a lot of that.

Become aware of the park that that portion of can Lake State Park.

>> Are really aware of the history.

Nobody know.

We want to preserve that information and that history.

And so it's very unique for us to have the the left of the historic Cherokee Park here on site.

It's been proposed.

You know, >> to and working with other friends group.

And we're trying to get to in a position where it could be a more of an education outreach, focused area to where it would self interpretive site signage.

And, you know, pictures and information to where when you go there, you can actually learn a bit more.

>> See right now is you come out here.

You enjoy all the Muni because you're a full I may actually the scenery U.S. courts, but they don't understand the context.

>> too young to even the stent and the older ones don't want to talk about.

So it needs to be content to last for the people so they can understand.

So can Kentucky can understand this role in 7 games?

That's important.

And I do is not something for you to get a wee bit.

It's something for people to celebrate.

Now.

>> Cherokee State Park was recognized with a listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 20.

0, 9, you can find out more about the park and efforts to preserve it by going to friends of Cherokee State Historic Park Dot org.

Now to Kentucky Dam village in western Kentucky's Marshall County.

It's one of the largest state parks in Kentucky on one of the biggest manmade lakes east of the Mississippi it takes a lot of employees to KET operations running smoothly.

Our Laura Rogers introduces us to one staffer who's grateful for a second chance.

>> Part of it.

I just met with my heart.

I love it.

I really do.

>> Sarah Young is a cook and baker at the Harbor lights restaurant at Kentucky Dam Village.

I enjoy all of it really from customer service to back.

It has to front of House.

>> Sarah came in with some background in food service experience.

That's a selling point.

I'm just really good at.

It's like my niche in life.

But one thing was potentially holding Sarah back from getting higher.

>> I find that a lot of people with a criminal past myself included.

We have a lot to offer to a lot of businesses, but we get overlooked because of our criminal record.

A lot of people will see the criminal record before they see the person, the Kentucky Department of Corrections offers job opportunities at Kentucky State parks there with second Chance program.

>> Well, you've got folks that have paid their debt to society and they're now trying to get back into society.

We can offer them a location to do that.

>> Steady and calm as vital for those re-entering society after incarceration.

Since I've been employed here at my house about my own car, I been able build a sense of stability for my life.

Likewise, her employment benefits, Kentucky Dam Village Post pandemic.

>> The hospitality industry got hit really hard with staff shortages.

So we've had positions that have been vacant for a year to year.

>> About 100 staffers, 3 or second chance employees.

They are selective about who they hire.

Number one concern is always safety and security of our guests.

There's no doubt about that.

>> No doubt about that.

We interview second chance possibilities very thoroughly.

>> Would you can native Sarah Young says she grew up visiting Kentucky Dam Village.

We go swimming in the beach of the family all the time.

Swimming boating, camping to just a few.

The numerous recreational activities at Kentucky Dam Village.

I've always said it's one of those things that you just don't know about.

You get you've got as much shoreline here on Kentucky like he's got an entire state of Florida.

>> What that once it?

>> Sarah says it's an honor to be on staff promoting and supporting one of Kentucky's greatest assets of all the other jobs.

I've had this one.

>> We just cooking in general has been where I find my groove.

>> We're Kentucky edition.

I'm Laura Rogers.

Thank you, Laura Kentucky Dam Village says they're in the process of hiring another employee through the second chance program.

Find resources for jobs and educational opportunities online at second chance DOT K Y dot Gov.

Taking part in Kentucky State Park's one 100th anniversary celebration, Kentucky poet laureate and New York Times best-selling author Silas House who is hosting writing workshops at state parks.

One of the workshops held earlier this year was at Cumberland Falls, State Resort Park House corrupt near Cumberland Falls.

And as we found out when we met up with him there, it's a place that holds real special meaning for him.

♪ >> One never put down the road without going for a wall.

>> I mean, some of that has to do this is what I was raised.

You know, you've got to own and use your imagination.

So I can't.

I can disconnect imagination from the natural world, sir, still really needed as Memphis from our out.

And when you grow up in a more rural place, there's not a was not a whole lot of places that you go.

You know, in town, you go out to the mat for world so we would go for the state park.

I grew up directly between 2 state parks come on falls and leave a Jackson State court, which is no longer a state park, but used today.

And so any kind of family reunion, you know, big man, core.

Well, they know the from the would usually go to one of those state parks.

Just take a bucket of fried chicken, you know, and from the picnic table in the many wonder around the park.

Cumberland Falls State Park, especially you had so many different things.

You can not always city falls, but go Harkin with has a great swimming poll.

Has the laws that a lot of times people would make their, you know, for what?

Your problem they you know, you might get to come in both the law's things like that.

So it was definitely centered around family from a specially as a child.

And then what?

I have children myself, you know, I wanted to take them.

I wanted them to have that same experience.

The state parks, but come on.

Foles was somewhere.

I would bring my children very often on the Sunday.

I love that tradition.

And it's just something that's sort I don't know when I think of home in my one of the things I think of us come on, Foles when people ask me where I'm from, they usually do.

A lot of people don't know cordon say it's near Cumberland Falls.

Lot of times.

They'll be able to place that, you know.

♪ I think the interesting thing about falls to me is that I must have seen the polls, you know, hundreds 100's of times.

But off the mall was mesmerized by.

And the thing is it's always different.

You know, one time and not deal with this incredible green.

Another time it's muddy because been right along the water's always a different level.

So it's it's never the same buying.

Plus.

And I think that's 1 million about the state park says, you know, they're of the natural world, which is always changing and it's different every season and it always has something new to offer.

So I mean, I guess that's one reason we KET going back.

That says that we can put Loria, started working pretty closely with tourism because I really wanted to make our literary heritage more important.

Are tourism.

People know Lavelle, the musicians of Kentucky.

We have a highway named the country music highway in Kentuckyian I wanted to do that with with our literary heritage as well.

And so the Tourism Department's been really great about working with me on all that.

And when they told me it was the 100th anniversary, the state parks, they suggested that maybe I would do it.

One workshop.

And it was so successful that we decided to do a whole series of them.

And we think it's a great way to bring people into the SEC perks, especially offseason because most of the time people use the park's mostly in the spring and summer.

And so we're trying to do that in the wintertime.

But because, you know, if it has for the 3rd.

With a lot of the people who came to the right words of self said I've never been here before.

I'm so sad.

The this is my first time known about this.

And, you know, they a lot of them.

Said that they would be coming back in.

So, yeah, I think it really expanded their experience and that's something about when you come to say pursue, you're seeing the best of Kentucky, you know, and you're see them places that have been preserved to a large degree, simplest says, you know, mostly in their natural state one than the state park system does so well as is I mean, the state park system was eco tourism before people even thought about tourism that way, you know, citizen part of the environmental movement before there was an environmental movement in the way preserves and not only preserves nature but history and all the time.

You know, it's it's right here.

And not enough of us take advantage of having that.

Some think a lot of us think we can only, you know, we're going to have a tourist destination that has to be way, way, way.

And that's when I love, of course, is the free and open to everybody.

>> Beauty in our backyards indeed.

Our state parks welcome millions of visitors a year dedicated stewards of the land.

Help KET those guests safe and protect our natural resources.

Our Lauren Rogers introduces us to 2 park rangers and their passion for Kentucky State Parks.

>> I had a friend.

Tell me about it honestly and said I know that will be a perfect job for you.

Captain Randy Mo more has worked for Kentucky State Parks since the year 2007.

>> I've always enjoyed the outdoors.

Always enjoyed while mine.

>> As Western region, captain for the Kentucky State Park Rangers.

He lives on site here at Kentucky Dam Village.

>> Solomon Parks and I love the whole summer as a busy season on Kentucky Lake Tahoe.

>> A typical day for me is very, very much.

Not typical.

>> Park Rangers are sworn law enforcement officers who patrol the keeping guests safe and secure and protecting our natural resources.

>> Most of our guest interactions, 99.9%, a very positive.

They want to know the things that we have to offer.

They want direction.

They want to know the local stuff.

They want to know where the good fishing spots are.

He's happy to help proud that our state parks provide families, affordable, recreation and entertainment to public spaces are nothing but a reflection of the people that they serve.

We are the face of parks and a lot of People see the green uniform.

They see the park Ranger kids automatically want to ask us questions when Colonel Christopher Crockett's retired from Kentucky State Police, he wanted to find a job that took an outdoors.

He's got great parks all across the state.

Kentucky's got a lot to offer and I would encourage everyone to go out there.

If you haven't already go visit his part, the Ranger Division director has visited nearly all of the parks and historic sites in Kentucky.

All the parks have something different to offer and they have their own unique Waveland State, Historic site and Lexington offers tours of the 19th century plantation and information on the Bryant family came descendants of Daniel Boone.

You look around and cities are growing.

You've got growth and you get roads and you get buildings.

Developments.

You know, it's important for us to remember and preserve the natural resources of the state.

State parks are also an economic driver for surrounding communities.

The people that visit our parks by they go to our local restaurants.

The impact is significant.

They generate more than 50 million dollars a year.

>> And show off the beauty of the Bluegrass.

>> We live in a really beautiful place and how the special spot in my heart and always will.

>> For key additions.

I'm Laura Rogers.

>> Thanks again, Laura.

Captain Moore says he also considers the western Kentucky likes a bird sanctuary home to bald eagles ospreys, peregrine falcons and even pelicans.

What a sight to see.

Old Fort Heritage State Park is one of Kentucky's original for state parks.

The centerpiece of the park, a full-scale replica of the Fort built 250 years ago by James Herod who founded Harrisburg, which is Kentucky's oldest city.

Here's a look at how they're keeping the fort's historical footprint alive in Mercer County.

>> Forehead.

State Park commemorates the oldest permanent settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains.

We have a full scale reconstructed Fort that is all is one 3rd of the size of the original 4 haired.

So as you come on any other day of the year, you're going to experience the fort and they re-enactors are our interpreters inside the Fort interpreting history with the Lincoln Marriage Temple, which houses the cabin.

Abraham Lincoln's parents were first were married in.

We also have a federal monitor, the oldest cemetery in the state of Kentucky are on the grounds and it's just wonderful city.

It operates as a city park in a state parks, right is dead center of town as we get a whole slew of people from the local community to come here every day and just enjoy the park.

I'm a professional ferrier and blacksmith.

>> I shoot horses I actually got my start here.

The blacksmith's shop next door for hair is just a ferry.

I read a treasure because it's it is so accurate to what parent and then had you know, on a slightly smaller scale, of course, all your timbers have been a hand hewn cut and you know, I mean, it's just beautifully everything has been meticulously.

Brought back.

>> We've been apart for since the late 18.

100's.

So I like to say we were the very first permanent are very first park and the Parks department and will be celebrating our 100 year next year.

1920, 2025.

This is Kentucky history.

This is where all of Kentucky started.

And that's our tag line for the 2.50.

Of Kentucky starts here.

This was the first permanent settlement in the state of Kentucky.

This is where all things happened.

This is this was the really the gateway to the All Western expansion of the original 13 colonies flow through Harrisburg in the early days.

So that's for here it is to me.

I know it's different things to different people.

Of course, I remember being a kid and coming out here on we feel for it.

It just.

>> Stirred my imagination.

This.

>> Fort stands as a as a a huge monument and interactive monument.

To that.

>> All all fight for all.

Do whatever I can to see.

That keeps going.

>> Pine Mountain State Park.

Also one of the original 4 opened in 1924, which is why it's often referred to as Kentucky's first State Park.

The park is home to some of the state's biggest natural and manmade attractions.

>> There's many different layers of history here at the park.

This part was home to the Cherokee and the Shawnee.

They said that between 79 to 1910, we had about 310,000 settlers pass right through here on foot, horseback, one 8th of the nation's population can still tracing ancestor to right here.

This park was set aside by our state geologist will regress Jillson.

And he's a guy who doesn't get nearly the attention that I think he should because he did so much for the tourism of our state.

He got a job as the state geologist and or against us Owsley.

And that's right on the heels of the birth of the National Park Service in 1916.

And so he tasked with finding what he thought would be the 4 best places for state parks.

Here we are 100 years later enjoying that same place that Jillson want to protect this park is nestled here in Bell County.

We have and Bell County.

4448 Brandon, thank you.

Plan to the state.

>> So about a year in the wild flowers, we've got it.

We have tons of wildlife, Turkey's bobcat's beer buyer.

You know it.

>> It's so awesome to be able to stand and say come on guard.

And that may be second grow for us.

That.

Seems to be sort of the way that it was see those towering trees him too.

>> For it to be kind of them in the day.

Lot of places, you know, to get sort of that experience the way they described when boom came We do have some old growth forest here in southeastern Kentucky.

You know, Willie Cornet was waiting for us than a exam, a little better here.

I think the access is a little easier to see some really awesome stuff.

Some 3, 4, 100 year-old trees.

>> Laura Cole, the and the ampitheater both pharmacies.

I think there's some of the prettiest places in eastern Kentucky, of course, are.

Most popular destination is change Iraq.

Chained rock itself is a tourist trap.

Now been on camera and I've said it a million times to groups, but I've always made the argument that it is the world's best tourist trap because it's only one that you get to when you're not disappointed with when you get to change Iraq, you have this beautiful 270 degree view.

We're able to look down and see the path of those 310,000 settlers.

You can see the spot where Thomas Walker name the river in the community.

We try to be as involved as we can.

We do.

Close to 100 school groups a year in some capacity and we try to do as many free things for kids as we can through the year.

And we want to expose them to all of this will come to see the natural and see why it's important.

Maybe learn why.

Why bats are great was snakes are great.

Learn things that maybe in their normal day-to-day life they would have the exposure to think that should be kind of our job as the state parks to explain to the kids.

While this is important, I don't want to protect it this year.

We're trying to promote 100 years of success and hope for 100 years more.

This park is special in my mind because of the history, the history of the people who built this park, the history of the people act Jillson who built Kentucky state parks who built the tourism industry who began a push to protect natural lands in the state.

It.

Well, it protects the natural lands of the first camp site of Doctor Thomas Walker.

It protects the Civil war encampment that was here to protect the Native American burial ground.

0 the park.

It protects all of the different layers of history and preserve that for generation and generation to co.

I think without something like this in our local community, I think we've been much worse shape.

It's something that everyone can see.

Everyone should try to treasure and protect.

>> We certainly agree.

We hope you've enjoyed this special.

Kentucky Edition honoring the Kentucky state parks and celebrating its centennial birthday.

Make sure you tune into Kentucky Edition each week night for we inform connect and inspire.

It's been a pleasure being with you and I'll see you soon.

Take a kid.

♪