Barren County's City and State Parks Appeal to People of All Ages
Deborah Jones began working for the Glasgow Recreation Department on a seasonal basis while attending Barren County High School. Her duties included keeping the city’s parks clean and tidy.
That was 25 years ago. Today‚ Jones continues to keep a watchful eye on those parks in her role as recreation department director. Her goal is to provide Glasgow residents with the best public recreational facilities possible.
“What we have tried to do is build on a base that was well founded‚” says Jones‚ who oversees five parks encompassing 121 acres. “But we’re not going to sit and rest on what’s done. We have to keep moving forward.”
Residents of Glasgow and Barren County have access to a variety of parks and recreational opportunities‚ from neighborhood playgrounds and ball fields to a scenic state park.
The largest and newest city park is the 42-acre Beaver Trail Complex‚ which opened in 1997. With four lighted playing fields‚ it is the hub of adult-league softball and baseball activity. There is also a half-mile jogging trail.
The hotspot for youth sports is Gorin Park‚ home of Richardson Field baseball diamond and its large covered grandstand. The park also has youth-league fields‚ eight tennis courts and two basketball courts.
American Legion Park features an outdoor swimming pool plus a softball field‚ horseshoe pits and a nine-hole disc golf course. Weldon Park offers a baseball field as well as half-mile and mile-long nature trails. Twyman Park has a small softball field‚ basketball court and volleyball area. All city parks also are equipped with playgrounds and picnic shelters.
Jones says a five-year plan is in place to add a spray park for kids‚ a skate park for teens and a wellness center geared toward senior citizens. “Everyone is living longer and living healthier‚” Jones says. “We want to ensure the best facilities for people of all ages in our community.”
Several miles southwest of Glasgow‚ Barren River Lake State Resort Park is a natural magnet for visitors from throughout Kentucky and beyond. The park‚ one of 17 in the state’s renowned system‚ covers 1‚500 acres. Its recreational offerings include golf‚ tennis‚ volleyball‚ hiking‚ cycling and horseback riding. The 10‚000-acre lake is popular for boating‚ fishing and swimming. Overnight guests can choose from 51 lodge rooms‚ 22 cottages and 99 campsites.
“We’re the place to be for recreational activities‚” says Park Manager Monica Conrad.
The park is undergoing $500‚000 in renovations that include facelifts to many cottages and lodge rooms. Modern touches such as electronic door locks‚ wireless Internet access and online reservations are being added.
“Today’s travelers expect a lot‚ and we are trying to stay competitive in that environment‚” Conrad says.
