March 18, 2013

Three Rivers Psychiatric Associates Moves to New Location;

Louisa, Ky. -- Three Rivers Psychiatric Associates is pleased to announce it has relocated to a new location.  The clinic will remain on the hospital campus, but will now be in Suite 107.  The move was effective Monday, March 18, 2013.

Three Rivers Psychiatric Associates is open daily from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. They can be reached at 606-638-1154.

March 14, 2013

"Friends of Yatesville Lake" gather together; Future of the lake discussed...

Yatesville Park manager Mike Sullivan and Judge/Executive John Osborne watch slideshow about lake

LOUISA, Ky. -- The newly established "Friends of Yatesville Lake" group met Tuesday at 6:00 pm at the community center to generate some ideas for future projects at the lake and surroundings area.

CORP RESOURCE MANAGER BRIAN GIVENCorp  Resource Manager, Brian Given first spoke about the purposes of the lake, explaining that the lake  was congressionally mandated to provide flood risk management, recreation, and environmental stewardship, but that the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers cannot establish recreation on their own.

In order to meet those purposes, they work in conjunction with the Kentucky State Park system,  Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, and other organizations in order to create the recreational components such as campgrounds, picnic facilities, marinas, hiking trails and all other features that make a place like Yatesville Lake enjoyable for everyone.

So, what is " Friends of Yatesville Lake?"  It is a 501-C non-profit organization that constitutes the shared common goals for the betterment of the lake's resources.  

Why was this group established?  It was formed in order to bring together the corp, county, park system and other stakeholders along with the community so that ideas can be presented and the public can have a voice.

"A team is not made up of one person or organization, a team is a group." Given said.   "We can make decisions from our office, but your input and ownership is extremely valuable to help us make better decisions."

The fact that this is a non- profit organization allows access to a variety of resources including grants and donations.  Given explained that the Corp can't budget recreation, they have to cost share.  For example, if someone suggested that a picnic shelter should be built, the Corp can cost share 50% of the expense, and the other half would have to come from other resources.

Some of the ideas presented by the Corp were more picnic areas and shelters, playground equipment, creation of new walking and hiking trails, educational programs, and bicycle trails.

Park Manager, Mike Sullivan said that funding for park systems has been cut 9% , and would probably be cut another 9% by July. Kentucky has fifty state parks, all varying in size, and what money is available has to be spread around to them all.  Legislation has reduced  the state park budget for the last several years. "When the Governor is dealing with issues like health and welfare, unemployment, roads, and such, parks get bumped down lower on the list." Said Sullivan.

Mike Sullivan and Judge/Executive John Osborne watch a slideshow about the parkHe explained that this put the park at a "crossroads" as far as upgrades and future enhancements. Some things that need to be done now include bringing the playground up to par. It needs work including mulch. "We can't just go to Lowes and buy a few bags of mulch." Sullivan said.  "It has to be special playground mulch to bring it up to code."   

He added that this project could be done for$2,000 of less.  

The campground needs to be twice as big with a shelter for various activities." We have to turn people away all the time because we don't have enough room."  Sullivan said. The golf course is ranked as one of the top ten courses in the state, but it doesn't have  a scoreboard.   

He went on to say that the marina is at full capacity and could easily accommodate fifty more boat slips.  An audience member asked Sullivan if they had the funds, was there room for expansion.  Sullivan said there was plenty of room, and added "we could do a lot of the work ourselves, but we need the materials." He said these enhancements would go a long way in making what we have better.

County Judge/Executive John Osborne spoke to the crowd about Lawrence County Park, and some plans for that area.  

"We would like to have a horse and RV park at the top of the hill. As it is now, there is not a lot of room for horse trailers, and horseback riding is gaining popularity out there." Osborne said.
 

Other ideas included expansion of camping sites, construction of a bath house closer to the current primitive sites, beach campsites, and a new putt- putt golf course. "We hope to have some of these projects done by fall" said Osborne.

Harley WeaverHarley Weaver, Private Lands Biologist with the Ky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, presented some ideas using technology combined with nature.

"I realize that a lot of people visit a park to get away from technology," Weaver said, but he explained that there are ways to incorporate it into the environment to create a pleasant and educational experience.  With wi-fi, the YETI (Yatesville Educational Trail Interface) could be implemented. Weaver explained that with this program, using a wireless device, you could view interactive 360 degree panoramic views of each point of interest on the trail.

Points of interest would be such things as native plants and animals, geological and hydrological features, historical and cultural aspects, as well as culinary insights to the native forage.

The purpose of this meeting was to generate ideas, and get input from the public as to what they would like to see done at Yatesville Lake.   A question and answer session followed the meeting, and a follow up meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 11, at 6 pm, at the community center.  The public is encouraged to attend.

Feb. 12, 2013

Plans underway for new putt-putt golf course, details discussed at tourism committee meeting....

Lawrence County Tourism Committee members met at the Fred M. Vinson Center Monday evening.



LOUISA, Ky. -- The Lawrence County Tourism Commission met Monday evening at the Fred M. Vinson home to discuss the proposed miniature golf course planned for Lawrence County Park.

Ashontae EllisAshontae Ellis, Grant Advisor for the tourism committee said that Lawrence County is eligible for a recreation grant totaling $75,000, however it is a matching grant, requiring the county to match half of that amount.  

Three parties would join together to contribute the remaining $37,500; the Lawrence County Fiscal Court, the Louisa Rotary Club, and the Lawrence County Tourism Commission.  That means that each of the parties would commit $12,500 to the project.

Ellis explained that the $12,500 total for each party could be "significantly reduced" by using local laborers, equipment, volunteers, donations and such.  Ellis also said that LCHS Engineering teacher Brad West is completely dedicated to the project along with his carpentry students to assist with the building portion,  and had even developed a sketch of the plan, which was presented at the meeting.

The course would be located within the county park, adjacent to the campground, basically where the old putt-putt used to be.  The old course was made out of wood, and eventually deteriorated to the point where it had to be shut down and removed, she said.

Chris Jobe, President of the Louisa Rotary Club said that an amusement company that he had spoken with not only manufacturers the  course features, but also assists with suggestions of operations as well.

Members agreed that a new miniature golf course would be a great addition, and a very well received attraction to the park.  

Magistrate, John J. Lemaster noted "every time my family was out there ( when the old putt-putt was there), there was always a line of people waiting to play."    

Tourism Committee chairman Keith ChaffinTourism Commission Chairman, Keith Chaffin said "The park needs to be promoted. There needs to be some sort of promotional campaign."  

Lemaster added that "the new road connecting Rt. 3215 to Rt. 1185 is scheduled to be completed in 2014, and will greatly improve the traffic flow and accessibility to the lake and surrounding area."

More people will be visiting the park and the lake, and everyone agreed that the more there is to offer entertainment-wise, the better.

Ellis explained that the deadline to apply for the grant is April  30th.  

"Once we are awarded the grant, the money would be available in September, so the project could be completed in 2014," Ellis said.

She also said that all three parties have to be in agreement and the Fiscal Court has to apply for the grant.  Lemaster said that County Judge, John Osborne is completely on board with the project.