Restore gift shops at state parks

My family and I had the opportunity to visit two of Kentucky’s beautiful state parks this spring and summer: one in Northern Kentucky, the other in the west. Upon entering the parks’ lodges, we noticed the gift shops at both parks had been changed to bars.

As a family, we have always enjoyed the shops, which carried many beautiful Kentucky-made crafts and souvenirs that would represent that particular park or region. Both parks now offer a small selection of snacks and an occasional T-shirt in an area small enough to be a coat closet.

My concern is not that the parks have bars, but rather that our unique items no longer seem to be important to display and sell to visitors who are not from this area.

We need to advertise our parks more than we do. Many Kentuckians still do not know how wonderful our state parks are, be it for a day at the lake or a competitive family mini-golf tournament.

I hope someone will do more to bring back our crafts and unbridled heritage.

This story was originally published August 24, 2017 at 7:19 PM with the headline "Restore gift shops at state parks."