Ky. state parks, mostly rural and all 'dry,' will sell alcohol in 'wet' areas; legal ad was story tip

State parks are an economic boon to many rural areas, but some of those areas prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages, so some parks have been unable to offer the full range of amenities to visitors. In Kentucky, almost all the parks are in "dry" territory, so the state Department of Parks hasn't even bothered to break the alcohol barrier for the few parks located where alcohol is legal. Until now.

The department's plan to open four parks in "wet" areas to alcohol had been part of a strategy of "turning food services at selected parks over to private vendors" to save money, but "there was not enough interest from private vendors to proceed with that part of the plan," writes Phyllis McLaughin of The News-Democrat in Carrollton, site of General Butler State Resort Park, on the Ohio River between Louisville and Cincinnati. (Parks Department photo: Two Rivers Restaurant at General Butler)

State officials have applied for licenses at General Butler, Lake Barkley State Resort Park in Cadiz, Jenny Wiley State Resort Park in Prestonburg and John James Audubon State Park in Henderson, McLaughlin reports. "We’re only doing this in parks where voters have already voted to allow alcohol sales," spokesman Gil Lawson said. "There will be no bars or cocktail lounges," though alcohol will be available at conference centers and golf courses. "We still see ourselves as family friendly." (Read more)

Note to journalists: The News-Democrat, a weekly paper, learned of this development from the legal ad that the state had to place regarding the license application. It shows why the legals are always a good place to check for story ideas.