Cave City officials close Funtown Mountain

The Funtown Mountain Facebook page on Tuesday let followers know that the amusement park is working on "very exciting collaborations which will be announced soon" and that there are "blue skies ahead."

But according to a report from the Bowling Green News, Cave City officials have cordoned off access to the park owned and operated by Louisville businessman Will Russell.

Cave City police Chief Jeff Wright said no one will be allowed on the premises until the city's public works director, Robert Smith, examines the property for "numerous" safety violations.

“As far as we're concerned, the place is not open for business,” Wright said.

Smith said Russell was at Funtown Mountain on Monday, according to the report, destroying and giving away some of the property. Russell claimed the destruction of property was a form of art, Smith said.

Russell received a $250,000 loan from the Kentucky Tourism Development Loan Program and raised $26,323 through a Kickstarter campaign to redevelop the park.

The Courier-Journal has previously reported that Russell has had two run-ins with police over the summer. He was arrested on Aug. 29 during a traffic stop in Cave City and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and drug charges. He also was arrested in July in Louisville and was accused of smoking marijuana outside a bowling alley where Lebowski Fest is held.

In a message detailing his August arrest that was posted on Facebook the following day, Russell wrote: “So I may be a target, but I refuse to be (a) victim. And cave city, that’s enough. I’ve had it.” Russell also indicated he was having debt problems.