House signs off on sale of alcoholic beverages at state parks
State Rep. Larry Clark, D-Louisville
FRANKFORT — Kentucky’s 17 resort parks with dining areas and nine recreational parks with golf courses could sell wine, liquor and beer under a bill the state House approved Thursday.
House Bill 308, sponsored by House Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark, D-Louisville, could generate more than $4.5 million a year, says a study prepared for the state.
Under the bill, the sales could not begin until an election was held in each dry precinct affected. Most state parks are in dry areas, where alcohol is not sold.
Clark, said the measure would generate more revenue for the state not only through alcohol sales, but through higher occupancy at the parks.
The measure has been introduced in previous legislative sessions. It has the support of the alcohol industry. Its opponents say it would ruin the safe atmosphere at state parks.
HB 308 now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
–Jack Brammer
Filed Under: Featured • KY General Assembly • State Government
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For as long as I can recall alcohol has been banned at parks and recreation areas around the USA. While I sure that some summer cookouts and ball games may have entertained a discrete cooler of beer, I feel this is a complete turnaround by state officials, disregarding others safety in pursuit of the all mighty dollar.
Shame on you!
Most other states park systems serve alcohol. Finally we may have the chance in Kentucky to attract small conventions and meetings to our state parks and bring in much needed revenue. Thank you for the effort to bring Kentucky out of the dark ages and really be able to market our beautiful state park system to the nation.
SURE, TIMES CHANGE.
PARKS SHOULD CHANGE WHEN MARKET CONDITIONS CHANGE AND . . . YOU STAY IN BUSINESS. REFUSE TO CHANGE AND YOUR LIMIT YOUR PARTICIPATION.
I see no wrong in this unless it impacts family vacations at our parks.
Mr. Ledford – they are talking about allowing sales at the state parks like in the dining rooms at the lodge.
This isn’t about letting people bring coolers of beer into the park.
Like Mr. Wiseman stated, this allows Kentucky to be more competetive with surrounding states.
This is a win-win proposition. This will finally allow the “resort” parks to potentially live up to their names. If you say you’re a resort park, the option to buy an alcoholic beverage must be part of the package. This could also be used as a boost to promote Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail through kiosks at the resort parks, encouraging more exporation of our fine state.