Tom Loftus

Louisville Courier Journal

Kentucky's state parks will be seeing $18 million in most urgently needed improvements in the next year.

In a program called "Refreshing the Finest," the money will be spent on safety and aesthetic upgrades at state parks across the state including some structural repairs, painting, and interior and exterior upgrades, Gov. Matt Bevin and parks officials said at a press conference Thursday at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park on Thursday.

At Cumberland Falls, for instance, repairs will be made to allow the reopening of the swimming pool and replacement of a railing in the falls area.

Parks Commissioner Donnie Holland said the parks system needs about $240 million in improvements. He said the $18 million recently approved by the General Assembly will be spent with safety needs as the first priority and aesthetic improvements second.

"We look at this as a beginning, not an end. It's a beginning of recovery..." Holland said. "We'll see how far down the list we can go."

Bevin said, "we've just delayed and delayed and delayed the maintenance" at the parks.

"Those days are over," he said.