Crowd gathers in Frankfort to celebrate 100th anniversary of the Kentucky State Park system

FRANKFORT, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — Kentucky state parks have continued to play a huge role in the commonwealth’s story over the years. Monday, 100 years of this history was celebrated.

A huge crowd gathered in front of Frankfort’s old state capitol building to celebrate the 100 ^th anniversary of the Kentucky State Park system. The celebration featured homegrown bluegrass music, and speakers commemorating what the state park system has done for Kentucky. Andy Kasitz is the park’s regional administrator.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS

• 15-year-old missing from Laurel County, possible runaway
• “Solarize Frankfort” campaign supports city’s resolution to be fully ran on renewable energy by 2030
• Beating the heat: Richmond organization offers cooling center to help unhoused people survive dangerously hot temperatures

“It’s just the legacy that they’ve gone to these parks when they were kids. Their parents took them, and then their parents’ parents took them. When we think about 100 years, it’s a lot of family legacy and history,” Kasitz said.

Gov. Andy Beshear was the keynote speaker at the event, highlighting how Kentucky’s 44 state parks contribute to an annual revenue of $53 million.

“100 years of providing good jobs to Kentuckians and supporting our local regions, 100 years of building our state’s economy,” Beshear said.

ALL ABOUT KENTUCKY

• LIST: These stores, restaurants are open on July 4 this year in Kentucky
• You need a 6-figure down payment to have an ‘affordable’ mortgage in this Kentucky city: report
• How does Kentucky’s hottest day compare to the rest of the US?

Beyond recreational spaces, Beshear also noted that these parks have served as safe havens during disasters.

“When disaster struck in the Commonwealth when an EF-4 tornado took out 70% of my dad’s hometown, it was the state park right next to it that opened its doors, housing families that I knew. Folks who had lost everything found a safe place where they could get a hot meal and support from people who cared,” Beshear said.

Whether it’s the economic benefits or the role of a safe space, these parks represent a rich history. Ashley Spenneberg-Perkins with the Kentucky Historical Society said this was a celebration the organization couldn’t miss.

“The historical society is a big part, especially with our America 250 Kentucky Initiative. We were in Harrodsburg a couple of months ago celebrating their 250th anniversary, which coincides with the parks’ centennial and the Kentucky Historical Society’s celebrations of America’s 250 ^th ,” Spenneberg-Perkins said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.