LakeCumberlandBoaters.com

Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet

Advisory Committee Develops Plan For Lake Cumberland

Press Release Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Contact Information: Gil Lawson
502-564-8110 ext 168



FRANKFORT, Ky. – An advisory committee that is working to improve tourism and economic development in the Lake Cumberland area has developed a plan for the lake’s future.

The Lake Cumberland Tourism/Economic Development Advisory Committee is working with local, state and federal agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gov. Steve Beshear, U.S.Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers and U.S. Congressman Ed Whitfield.

“Our goal is to help the Lake Cumberland area recover so we can provide tourism and economic development opportunities for the residents in this region,” Gov. Beshear said. “It’s important that government agencies hear the concerns from representatives of the people who live in this area and work toward finding solutions.”

Because of required repair work on Wolf Creek Dam by the Corps of Engineers, the water level of the lake was lowered in 2007, causing a reduction in the number of tourists in the region. State government has been working in the area to help promote the lake and tourism opportunities.

“Lake Cumberland is the economic backbone for the communities that depend on tourism to keep afloat,” said Congressman Rogers. “In these times of economic uncertainty it is vital that we work together to promote tourism and bring life back to the region. While there have been obstacles at the Lake, people need to know that Lake Cumberland is open for business and that it is still the crown jewel of southern and eastern Kentucky.”

“Lake Cumberland has long been a vital part of the local economies surrounding the lake and a vibrant part of the Kentucky culture,” said Congressman Whitfield. “As Kentucky communities continue to face tough financial times, we must do all that we can to help spur economic growth around Lake Cumberland while assuring the safety of residents downstream. I am pleased to work with the Lake Cumberland Tourism/Economic Development Advisory Committee as we work toward these shared goals.”

The committee’s “Lake Cumberland Economic Security Plan” makes recommendations for marketing, maintaining visitation levels, parking and other issues involving the lake. (The report is attached to this document below)

Gov. Beshear, Congressman Rogers and Congressman Whitfield thanked the committee for its work and said they fully support and would work to implement the plan.

The Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet is facilitating the committee, which will continue to discuss and make recommendations to state and federal agencies about ways to improve tourism and economic development in the region.

The committee members include: James Flatt, Russell County; J.D. Hamilton, Burnside; Charlie Denny, Wayne County; Tony Sloan, Clinton County; Rodney Casada, Pulaski County; Jeff Crowe president and CEO of TOUR Southern and Eastern Kentucky; Martin Shearer, Executive Director of Somerset-Pulaski County Economic Development Foundation; Chris Girdler, Field Representative of Congressman Rogers’ office; Sandy Simpson, Field Representative for Congressman Whitfield; Steve Carter, director of the East Kentucky Office for the Economic Development Cabinet; Tourism, Arts and Heritage Secretary Marcheta Sparrow and Jeff Belcher of Gov. Beshear’s office.





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Lake Cumberland Economic Security Plan

We have the utmost confidence that the Army Corps is well on its way to successfully rehabilitating Wolf Creek Dam. Repairing the dam and keeping downstream citizens safe is of paramount necessity. With this we take no issue. Nothing in this plan to protect and promote the people’s economic wellbeing of the Region and the Commonwealth of Kentucky interferes with this critical mission priority.

Much has been communicated by many in previous resolutions, letters and meetings at the State and local levels about the need to address in a meaningful way the current and long term economic hardship the Wolf Creek Rehabilitation project has caused this State and the Lake Cumberland Regional Economy. It is time to move forward with a solution.

This plan provides the solution to secure our economic future. It lays the foundation for a sustainable long term economic recovery of the region. It will allow development of new opportunities, help businesses grow and families of the region find long term employment. This plan will help secure a bright economic future for ourselves and our children.

1) Preserve existing visitation levels. The Corps primarily relies on private market partners such as marinas to provide the necessary capital, risk taking and professional management needed to provide facilities and high quality services to the recreational visitors. Marinas account for 78% of visitation hours on Lake Cumberland. It is important to ensure marina operators can maintain their facilities, operations and high levels of service to sustain the current visitation levels. We fully support H.R.2821. We support suspension of rent and reimbursement to the Counties. We also believe it is unjust and unnecessarily damaging not to reimburse these key stakeholders for the Economic damage caused them by the project. Support like that envisioned in H.R. 2821 is just and necessary to ensure the health of these key stakeholders during this critical time.



2) Restore the ‘Lake Cumberland’ Brand with a significant marketing campaign. While the lower water has had deleterious effects there is still plenty of water for recreation and time has allowed Mother Nature to improve the aesthetics with vegetation. However no significant measures have been taken to counteract the damage done to the ‘Lake Cumberland’ brand. The barrage of negative press generated by the lowering was National and severe. The ad budgets of the marinas and local tourism offices are insufficient for this task. The Lake Cumberland Association estimates it would take a multi-million dollar campaign to counteract this brand damage.



3) Expand the Overnight Visitation Demographic by approving Static On Water Accommodations (SOWA’s) within leased areas. These economically critical visitors primarily seek an on-water accommodation. Because of natural geographic topography and current Corps policy the only available option is the traditional houseboat experience. Consequently current overnight visitation faces two large market barriers. First, it requires significant boating experience. Second, the price for a weekend has skyrocketed. The rise of the Internet and the cruise line industry has created significant competition to this business model.

A) Floating SOWA’s such as “floating cottages” would lower prices considerably perhaps by 50 percent and requires no expertise. This would vastly expand the vacation demographic opportunity for Lake Cumberland.

B) Land based SOWA’s like that proposed in the development of Potato Knoll allows for water views and access with the unique experience of an island. It requires no boating experience and this condominium type accommodation is very familiar to vacationers worldwide. Economically this would provide Pulaski County with $1.4 million in revenue from the sale and approximately $400,000 per year in property tax. In this case there is no unique habitat destroyed and no species threatened. The proposed project is green and a good example of balancing environmental concerns with responsible development. There are no bridges or causeways. The land is in the middle of a commercial lease and in the city of Burnside. It would be unique signature development for Pulaski County.



4) Allow and Support Growth Stimulative Projects with Positive Socioeconomic Impacts proposed by local governments. One such project we support is the approval and construction of a 10,000 seat outdoor amphitheater at Pulaski County Park. A venue to accommodate national acts, festivals and local events would attract an entirely new visitation demographic seeking on water entertainment and not solely on boating and the typical lake experience. It leverages the existing visitations to the area, creates a unique entertainment venue and significant market differentiator for Lake Cumberland and the region. It would also enhance usage of the commercial air service into the Cumberland Regional Airport. It would enhance the quality of life for current citizens by providing an amenity commonly enjoyed by urban citizens. Additionally it would provide a great economic development tool to draw people and businesses to the Lake Cumberland region.



5) Expansion of parking facilities will be necessary to foster increased visitation. The topography of Lake Cumberland, the Corps cut–fill policy, the high cost and business economics associated with parking has limited its availability. It is not practical for marinas to fund parking lots. Every major expansion on Lake Cumberland was done with government funds. The state is spending $1 million to expand parking at State Dock. The Corps is providing no such assistance to the federal concessionaires. An offset excavation project should be implemented immediately to ensure the public need for more parking no longer conflicts with Corps cut-fill policy.



6) Clean up the shoreline of logs and debris. With 40 ft. of shoreline exposed for 1,280 miles over a six year period. There is great concern about the impact this will have on boating hazards when the lake level returns. The Corps should continue and expand shoreline cleanup program.



7) The expenditure of Federal and State resources involving any aspect of Lake Cumberland should be concentrated to execute this targeted plan. Economic mitigation has been under resourced. However the very limited resources both human and financial spent to date have been disconcerted and random. Some have been ineffective and wasteful. It is critical we concentrate our resources within the strict context of executing this strategically targeted plan. Each local government executive shall appoint a member of the Lake Cumberland Association to an Economic Coordination Committee. This committee will serve as the working group for the plans implementation.







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No money, but plenty of hope, for General Burnside Island Park
By Bill Mardis Jun 9, 2016
pool
Nothing for General Burnside Island State Park was included in an $18 million state parks maintenance fund announced last week by Gov. Matt Bevin. The unkept, long abandoned swimming pool and bathhouse at the entrance gives the state park at Burnside a black eye.

Janie Slaven photo

The mayor of Burnside, who recently said he is going to get improvements to General Burnside Island State Park “ ... if I have to move in the governor’s mansion,” is being patient and “staying put” after an $18 million parks maintenance fund announced last week by Gov. Matt Bevin did not include anything for General Burnside Island State Park.

“I’m not packing up to move right now,” laughed Ron Jones when asked about first priority for the maintenance money going to 17 of the state’s 49 parks and none to Burnside.

Don Parkinson, secretary, Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, said last week at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, the $18 million will be spent on painting, repairing exterior siding, safety updates, concrete repair, swimming pool repair and water treatment updates.

Swimming pool repair is definitely needed at General Burnside Island State Park. The pool at the entrance to the park has been closed for several summers. Its unkept appearance, the first thing a visitor sees when entering the park, is definitely a black eye.

General Burnside State Park is within the corporate limits of Burnside, and the Burnside mayor who has worked tirelessly for years to get a lodge on the only island state park in the system, is talking a measured approach.

“(The swimming pool) is probably a money loser,” said Jones. “Not enough people use the pool to pay for its operation ... the pool will have to be part of the park operation.”

However, he pointed out that “ ... many people in Pulaski County grew up swimming in that pool.”

Not so for the current generation. There’s water, water everywhere, but no swimming at General Burnside Island State Park. As aforesaid, the swimming pool has been closed for years and the beach area on the south side of the park has not been used since the lake was lowered for repairs to Wolf Creek Dam nearly a decade ago. Now that the lake is back to normal levels, the beach is a thicket of unattended growth.

Jones has not thrown in the towel. Conceding the new administration in Frankfort ... is trying to get its feet on the ground,” the mayor said he plans “ ... to talk with them ... to see what they plan to do ... and maybe I can inspire them to do something (for General Burnside Island State Park).

Governor Bevin did make a point last week that recent passage of HB 309, providing an explicit framework for the use of public-private partnerships as an alternative method of procurement, construction, and financing of capital projects and services by state government could pave the way for businesses to invest in the parks system.

The Tourism Cabinet, off and on since 2006, has issued RFPs (Requests for Proposals) from the private sector to build and operate a lodge at General Burnside Island State Park but no compliant proposals have been received.

Gil Lawson, cabinet spokesman, told the Commonwealth Journal last week no specific plans are in place to develop a new RFP for a lodge at the Burnside state park.

A call to Parks Commissioner Donnie Holland was not immediately returned and Mike Lynn, manager of General Burnside Island State Park, was not available for comment.

Could Burnside Island evolve into a major destination?

http://www.somerset-kentucky.com/news/c ... 7dd67.html

By Chris Harris Jul 8, 2018
Burnside Island
General Burnside Island State Park is home to lots of boating and camping opportunities — but Burnside officials would like to explore more uses.

File

Action! Adventure! Aerial amusements!

All at General Burnside Island!

That’s the kind of vision that could make the underutilized jewel of southern Pulaski County a key destination in Kentucky for outdoor recreation — though right now, that’s just a serious of “what if” scenarios.

At the July Burnside City Council meeting Monday, councilor Mike Lynn brought up a trip he and Mayor Robert Lawson were taking to Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park in neighboring Laurel County, Ky.

It’s a park that’s got a lot going on — and Lynn, park manager for Burnside Island, itself a state park, found himself inspired by London’s efforts to inject its tourism interests into the natural resource.

“They had already leased land from Levi Jackson (State Park) to the City of London last year to put in an adventure treetop course,” he said. “It had been something they had been running on the state park property. And so now they’re looking at just taking the entire park over — not as a lease, but as ownership.”

Lynn mentioned the park’s campgrounds, museum area — knowing that Burnside itself is looking to develop a historical museum —and the $2 million in tourism money that the City of London has, based on Lynn’s knowledge after talking to London Mayor Troy Rudder.

“The phrase was, ‘We have so much money, they can’t spend it all,’” said Lynn. “However ... we have 280 (homes in Burnside), and we have close to $400,000, which says a lot for Burnside. (Tourism funds of ) $400,000 is a lot of money for 280 homes.”

Treetop Adventure at Levi Jackson State Park connects platforms in trees by rope, ziplines, and other methods, offering a challenging course for outdoor sports enthusiasts and fun-seekers.

Lynn is hopeful that what has been done with Levi Jackson State Park could give Burnside “some ideas.” He says Levi Jackson and Burnside Island have some “similarities” between them.

“They’re both in the city limits,” he said. “There’s a major highway that runs either through the park, which it does at Levi Jackson, or a major highway such at U.S. 27 that passes by the park (at Burnside Island). I don’t know how many times I come out of the park to leave to go home, and I have to wait like 15 minutes before I can pull out. The number of cars that drive through Burnside is unbelievable.”

The key is getting some of those cars to stop at Burnside Island — and see all of what it has to offer. That could become more likely should the park, which currently offers a golf course, campground, picnic shelters, and access to Lake Cumberland by boat, become even better utilized. That includes walking trails the City of Burnside is looking to put in, but the Levi Jackson comparison invited Burnside Tourism minds to dream even bigger.

“Outdoor adventure seems to be a big thing,” said Lawson. “I’m really looking forward to seeing that (at Levi Jackson).”

Lawson said he recently took a developer to Burnside Island and discussed the possibility of putting in a zipline attraction — not unlike the popular thrill activity such as that found at Red River Gorge area that allows a person to cover long distances suspended in the air on a wire.

Unfortunately, he told the Commonwealth Journal, that never materialized. But the interest is there in the state leasing the island property, minus the golf course and campgrounds, to Burnside to develop for recreation.

“Burnside doesn’t have the money,” Lawson told the Commonwealth Journal. “But if we could find someone to partner with to help us, we’d love to do it (put in an aerial attraction).”

Burnside Tourism Director Farrah Dobbs said that Pulaski County Judge-Executive Steve Kelley had mentioned a meeting regarding potentially bringing the treetop adventure concept to this county. Dobbs said she requested to go to that meeting because she’d like to see Burnside get in on that.

“Pulaski County Park is maxed out, they’ve got enough,” she said “SomerSport, they’ve got enough. Somerset has the (SomerSplash) water park. Burnside really needs the treetop adventure, and I’m sure that we could lease that land from the state

“Everywhere else in Pulaski County has enough, she continued. “We some of this down here.”

Added Lawson, “There’s so much there and Farrah and I have talked about it. We’ve got to put our heads together and come up with something for people to do year-round.”

As it is, Burnside is a happening spot in the summer, which is when most tourists come through town to visit Lake Cumberland. The fall and winter, however, Burnside becomes substantially quieter. Lawson recalled the old “Christmas Island” effort featuring lights on Burnside Island — lights that have since moved around to other places, including through the middle of Burnside along U.S. 27 — but knows an active tourism initiative can come up with better ideas for the future.

“We’re basically a four- or five-month town,” said Lawson. “That island can be used for that very thing (to increase year-round tourism).”

Lawson noted that the city is working on sponsorships to bring back the “Christmas Island”-type concept to Burnside.

However Burnside expands its tourism offerings, it could stand to make the town’s economic interests all the stronger as it promotes itself throughout this region of the country — not just for Lake Cumberland, but possibly much more.

“Just ways of evolving into the future in tourism seems to be the hot dollar right now,” said Lynn.