By BILL MARDIS Editor Emeritus
The water may be barely in hollering distance, but Pulaski County Park near Nancy will open as usual on April 1.
Pulaski County Judge-Executive Barty Bullock said everything is ready to continue the normal operating schedule for the park during the upcoming tourist season. Extra efforts are being made because Lake Cumberland is being kept about 43 feet below the tree line to ease pressure on Wolf Creek Dam, classified as being in “high risk” of failure.
The more than 600-acre park, the only county-operated facility of its kind on Lake Cumberland, will look the same, yet differently, this summer. The lake can be seen at a distance but deep blue waters no longer lap at its scenic shores.
Picturesque Fishing Creek, still slightly swollen by the impoundment, has shrunk toward its natural banks. This leaves the park’s two boat ramps out of the water and probably not fixable until the lake level returns to normal.
The swimming area is dry and most of the water in the vicinity of the park probably is not navigable.
“But it’s still beautiful,” commented Rodney Dick, a county supervisor who took a reporter on a tour of the park. “The water is not deep enough to launch a boat, but you can still fish,” he added.
Dick and Bullock want everybody to know that the park will be open for business this summer. Dick pointed out that improved camping sites have new electrical outlets and freshly graveled roads and parking spots for recreational vehicles.
Vickie McQueary, manager of the park, said reservations are already coming in. She said about 1,000 members of a state bow hunters group are expected at the park in mid-April, and “ ... we’ve taken a lot of reservations for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.”
McQueary said between 1,000 and 2,000 people use the county park on an average summer weekend and the number approaches 5,000 during holiday periods.
Dick, while touring the park with a reporter, pointed out a new fish-cleaning station, bathhouse with restrooms and a coin laundry, and various improved parking areas.
“While the water is low, we plan to improve the parking at the beach, Dick said.
The point is that the county park is ready for visitors, Dick reiterated. “It’s still remote, it’s still beautiful and a wonderful place to spend a summer’s day,” he concluded.
The park is open from April 1 through October 31.
