Lake Barkley Naturalist and Recreation Blog

This past Saturday we celebrated National Public Lands Day at Lake Barkley SRP. National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the nation's largest single day volunteer day dedicated to protecting and preserving our public lands. This year twelve volunteers worked on three separate projects. The first one was a cleanup near our public beach. It resulted in 21 bags of trash (12 which were recyclable) removed from one small area of the park. Volunteers also worked on trail maintenance and were able to install a new railing for a trail bridge, remove 6 downed trees, and repaired two trail bridges. In addition to those two projects over 100 bulbs were planted in the Friendship Garden located at the park’s main entrance.

After our projects were completed, volunteers were treated to a hot dog cookout at the campground. A great big thanks to all of our volunteers for helping keep Lake Barkley beautiful. We hope to see even more volunteers take part next year!

The first load of recyclables collected on National Public Lands Day at Lake Barkley SRP

Tickets are on sale now for Lake Barkley's next installment of their popular dinner theatre series. The next edition will be a murder mystery!

Take a trip back to the ole west. The bridge ahead has been washed out and while repairs are made you are invited to sit a spell at Molly’s Tavern in Bad Rock. But beware, tensions are high at bad rock and people are not always what they seem and the potential for trouble hangs heavy in the air, so enjoy stay, eat, drink and make merry but keep your eyes peeled for a murder is about to take place.

Guests are encourged to dress in their best western gear as they try to figure out who dun it!

Tickets are $45/person and include a dinner buffet, dessert and entertainment. Reservations can be made by calling the lodge at 270-926-1131.

This year Lake Barkley will again host a 5k Run & Walk. This years race will be on Saturday, October 27th at 8:30a.m. This year’s theme is Trick or Trot and participants and spectators are encouraged to dress in costumes! The course will begin at the Fitness Center and follows the park road around the cottages and cabins. The course is sure to give you lots of tricks and a few treats along the way.

Participants will also receive a race t-shirt, swag bag, and the opportunity to win great prizes. The cost to register is $15 prior to the race or $20 day of race. Walk participants can register for $10 or $15 day of race. Online registration is available at https://secure.kentucky.gov/renewalservices/parks/raceseries/

This is the 3rd race of the 5 race Western KY series, and participants can register for all five races for a discounted price. The series begin on August 25th with the Hot August 5K at Kenlake State Resort Park September 22nd Run Through the Forest 5k at Pennyrile Forest State Park
October 27th Trick or Trot at Lake Barkley
November 10th Stars and Stripes 5k at KY Dam Village
December 15th Reindeer Run at John James Audubon SRP

For more information contact the fitness center at 270-924-1131 EXT 593

The Kentucky Humanities Council invites you to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Kentucky Chautauqua® program, which for two decades has helped tell Kentucky’s story through interesting dramatic characters. The council is joining with the Kentucky State Parks to help celebrate Aug. 1-5 with special programs at five parks and it starting with Lake Barkley on August 1st.

The “History & Humor, Hummin’ & Strummin’ 2012” programs will include Kentucky Chautauqua presentations, featuring actors who portray people important to the state’s history and culture.

The “History & Humor, Hummin’ & Strummin’ 2012” programs will feature traditional Chautauqua outdoor settings with a large tent, a stage, chairs for guests and refreshments. The show will start at 6 p.m. and last until 10 p.m. at Lake Barkley's beach and it is FREE to attend.


Lake Barkley State Resort Park's Public Beach
August 1st 6p.m. - 10p.m.
Free to attend


3:30 p.m. - History of Lake Barkley Hike: Sights and Stories of Lake Barkley State Resort Park’s four decades in a guided hike along the lodge and water. Meet in breezeway across from front desk.

5 p.m.- Dinner available in lodge.

6-10 p.m. - Chautauqua Presenters:
Private William Greathouse
Reverend Newton Bush
Harlan “Colonel” Sanders
Mary Settles
Grandpa Jones
Musician:
Nathan Blake Lynn http://nathanblakelynn.com/

Participants in Warbler Weekend look for birds at Long Creek Wildlife Refuge

This Saturday was a day dedicated to birding. We had some brave participants that came out early on a chilly morning, but they were rewarded with highlights including a Caspian Tern, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Orchard Orioles, Cedar Waxwings and Red-headed Woodpeckers. Later in the afternoon we trekked over to Land Between The Lakes to bird the Long Creek Wildlife Refuge. We saw 60 different species of birds, and highlights were Little Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, American White Pelicans, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Cliff Swallows, Tree Swallows, Osprey, Bald Eagle, White-eyed vireos, Red-eyed Vireos, Yellow-throated Vireos, Summer Tanager and Indigo Buntings. We were able to see or hear eight different species of warblers: Northern Parula, Yellow-throated Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Palm Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Prothonatary Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Common Yellowthroat.
It's the perfect time to get out and hear the newly arriving birds at Lake Barkley SRP.