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by Kay Steele Faulk
Just off East Main Street at the end of Myrtle Avenue is the 47.5-acre East Frankfort Park. Its attractions—which include swimming, tennis, volleyball, nature trails, picnic facilities and playground equipment—draw residents year round. Two recent additions proving to be crowd pleasers are an 18-hole disc golf course and the Bark Park for dogs.
According to Jim McCarty, deputy director of the Frankfort Department of Parks, Recreation & Historic Sites, the final phase of the disc golf course will be completed this year with the addition of a park bench at every hole.
Members of the Frankfort Disc Golf Association worked with Parks and Rec staff in building the course. During the summer, some of its members help with maintenance.
The course is free to the public. “If you take your time, you can play all 18 holes in about an hour and a half,” said McCarty. “Although it’s a short course, it’s somewhat difficult because most of the holes are in the woods, which increases the challenge.”
McCarty said reception has been amazing. “Even in the wintertime we get a lot of people playing. It’s such good exercise. We’re planning a tournament for this summer.”
Another popular attraction at East Frankfort Park is the Bark Park, which currently has one area for all dog sizes. McCarty said they plan to expand the Bark Park by adding a second area for dogs under 30 pounds. “This will keep the big dogs together and the small dogs together.”
Two features the dogs love are the park’s wooded section and the doggie playground equipment. “We have a Puppy Hop, a Puppy Jump and a Puppy Tunnel,” said McCarty. “You just have to see it … the dogs going through the tunnel and jumping over jumps. Residents come every day, and on Sundays, you’ll see 30 or 40 dogs in the Bark Park.” For more information, call 502-875-8575 or visit www.FrankfortParksAndRec.com.
One of Frankfort's most interesting historical treasures and recreational activities is also a park and nature preserve. Cove Spring Park consists of 100 acres of wetlands, streams, springs, waterfalls and forested ravines. Among the park's many offerings are five miles of walking trails, three picnic shelters, Sunday afternoon wildflower walks in April and environmental education workshops during the summer.
The purchase and historical preservation of Cove Spring Park were achieved through a state Heritage Land Conservation Fund grant, written by Andrew Cammack, City Arborist. Cammack said, "Although the park is home to deer, turkey, mink, foxes, weasels, snakes, pileated woodpeckers, kingfishers, ducks, herons and geese, it was an endangered wildflower – Braun's rockress – that helped to win the grant and preserve this city treasure for future generations."
In the prehistory era, Cove Spring was a buffalo crossing, and with the buffalo came Native Americans who used the spring for water. Cammack said, "In 1800, Frankfort settlers built a dam, forming the first public water supply west of the Alleghenies. And using wood from on-site cedars, they constructed pipes to convey the water to the penitentiary and the town." Pieces of this pipe are on display at the Frankfort City Museum and the Kentucky History Museum.
Cammack said that one of the park's most intriguing structures is the overflow tower made from Kentucky River marble quarried from an on-site vein. "We have a Scottish specialist in the use of lime mortar scheduled to visit Frankfort and advise us on the tower's historical preservation." Also, the Kentucky Dry Stone Conservancy will conduct two summer workshops at the park on building dry-laid stonewalls and retaining walls.
Park activities are posted in the newspaper as well as on the park's kiosk. For more information, call 502-875-8575 or visit www.frankfortparksandrec.com. The Capital City Museum is located at 325 Ann Street in downtown Frankfort. Phone 696-0607.
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Capital View Park
Glenns Creek Road
502-875-8575
http://www.frankfortparksandrec.com
This 150 acre park provides a beautiful scenic view of the Kentucky River and is great for nature lovers. The park offers, 2-basketball courts, 4-lighted softball fields, 1-lighted soccer field, 1-high school soccer field, 2-shelters with grills, restrooms available in upper shelter, nature trails, picnic facilities, and off-track bicycle trail. |
Cove Spring Park
Cove Spring Road
502-875-8575.
www.frankfortparksandrec.com The Cove Spring Park/Nature Preserve, approx. 100 acres of wetlands, streams, springs, waterfalls, forested ravines and other natural and historic features. Walking, biking, nature observation, environmental education, picnics, 2-miles of trails with interpretive signs (a portion of trail is handicapped accessible), interpretive center with displays on natural and historic features, shelter and picnic facilities. |
Dolly Graham Park
Murray Street
502-875-8575
www.frankfortparksandrec.com
This six (6) acre park is located in South Frankfort on Murray Street, just off Second Street. Dolly Graham Park offers 2-picnic shelters with restrooms, 2-basketball courts, and modern playground equipment. |
East Frankfort Park
Myrtle Avenue
502-875-8575
www.frankfortparksandrec.com
This 47 ½ acre park is located at the end of Myrtle Avenue off East Main Street. Swimming pool, 3 lighted tennis courts, nature trails, picnic facilities, 2 volleyball courts, 2 shelters with restrooms, 3 playground areas, including a Therapeutic playground. Sports and Administration building on site. |
Lakeview Park & Golf Course
Georgetown Road & Steadmantown Ln.
U.S. Highway 460 E.
502-695-8431
132 Acres with outdoor events arena, 1 open-sided pavilion and 1 enclosed pavilion available (call for reservations), 2 mile exercise trail, picnic areas, soccer and softball fields and skatepark. The Carter House, a two story colonial style home available for parties, weddings, receptions and meetings (call for reservations), and a 9-hole Par 3 golf course and driving range (call 502-695-5870 for information). |
Riverview Park
Wilkinson Blvd
502-875-8575
www.frankfortparksandrec.com
Scenic riverside picnic area by the Kentucky River, across the street from the Holiday Inn Capital Plaza Hotel. Welcome pavilion, picnic tables, fishing pier, one-mile walking trail, monuments representing the 3 original Kentucky counties, refurbished 1800's bridge, 16 historic sites, including prehistoric and early Indian cultures, marble yard. Farmers Market held May-October, Boat Dock available for day parking only. Park closes at dark. |
Leslie Morris Park on Fort Hill
400 Clifton Avenue
www.frankfortparksandrec.com
Open to vehicular traffic on Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday - May - October. Open to foot traffic during daylight hours year-round. Call The Capital City Museum for more information. Call 502-696-0607 for information. FREE ADMISSION.. |
Juniper Hill Park & Golf Course
800 Louisville Rd
502-875-8575
www.frankfortparksandrec.com
124 acre park, 94 acre golf course. 2 lighted sand volleyball courts, gazebo, 3 Horseshoe pits, playground, 2 shelters with grills and restrooms, picnic facilities. Home to the State Fire Memorial to Fallen Fire Fighters & the Desert Storm & Purple Heart Memorials. |
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East Frankfort Swimming Pool
Myrtle Avenue
502-875-5398
www.frankfortparksandrec.com
Located conveniently off East Main Street, the East Frankfort Pool offers a diving pool, a separate baby pool and a concession stand. Private party rentals are also available. The pool opens Memorial Day weekend and closes when school begins in the fall. |
Juniper Hills Swimming Pool
800 Louisville Road
502-875-8579
www.frankfortparksandrec.com
Juniper Hills offers an Olympic size swimming pool with a diving pool, separate baby pool and concession stand. Private party rental is also available. The pool opens Memorial Day weekend and closes when school begins in the fall. |
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Canoe Kentucky
7323 Peaks Mill Road
502-227-4492 / 800-K-CANOE-1 www.canoeky.com
Training, rentals and retail, 10 mini-livery locations, direct access to 12 of Kentucky's exciting, scenic and safe streams. |
Capital Golf
934 Old Lawrenceburg Road
502-223-8870
Capital Golf offers the avid or new golfer the opportunity to practice their swings in this 40 station driving range. |
Juniper Hill Park & Golf Course 800 Louisville Rd
502-875-8575
www.frankfortparksandrec.com
124 acre park, 94 acre golf course. 2 lighted sand volleyball courts, gazebo, 3 Horseshoe pits, playground, 2 shelters with grills and restrooms, picnic facilities. Home to the State Fire Memorial to Fallen Fire Fighters & the Desert Storm & Purple Heart Memorials. |
Kentucky Skydiving Center
Capital City Airport
76 Airport Road
866-458-6759.
www.kentuckyskydivingcenter.com
Our philosophy is to enjoy skydiving in a safe, fun environment. Staff consists of USPA certified instructors, FAA licensed pilots, and USPA/Strong certified Tandem instructors. Static-line and tandem skydiving. |
Lakeview Park & Golf Course
Georgetown Road & Steadmantown Ln.
U.S. Highway 460 E.
502-695-8431
132 Acres with outdoor events arena, 1 open-sided pavilion and 1 enclosed pavilion available (call for reservations), 2 mile exercise trail, picnic areas, soccer and softball fields and skatepark. The Carter House, a two story colonial style home available for parties, weddings, receptions and meetings (call for reservations), and a 9-hole Par 3 golf course and driving range (call 502-695-5870 for information). |
Still Waters Canoe Trails & Campground
249 Strohmeier Rd
502-223-8896
Canoeing and camping on the Kentucky River and on Elkhorn Creek, one of Kentucky's best paddling streams. Class I and Class II water. Small-mouth bass fishing on Elkhorn. Day trips up to 19 miles. |
Twilight Billiards, LLC
1100 US 127 South, Bldg. D, Ste 1A
(502) 875-2027
Enjoy the atmosphere of a family environment. Twilight Billiards offers 14 pool tables and a full service concession stand for an evening of entertainment. |
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Brighton Park Cinema
Brighton Park Shopping Center
502-695-3247
Located off US 60, Brighton Park Cinema offers first run releases. Call for movie listings and show times. |
Franklin Square Cinema 6
161
Franklin Square Shopping Center
502-875-9000
Located off US 127 South, Franklin Square Cinema 6 offers six (6) movie viewings in one location. Call for details on showings and show times. |
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Eagle Wings Air
90 Airport Road at Capital City Airport.
502-682-8454
info@eaglewingsair.com
Flying lessons, local aerial tours, plane rides, and airplane rental to licensed pilots. Combine the adventure of flying an airplane and then make a parachute jump or tandem skydive all in the same day. |
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Elkhorn Campgrounds
165 North Scruggs Lane
502-695-9154
At the forks of Elkhorn Creek, electric, water, cable and full hookups, tent and trailer sites, camp store, swimming pool, showers, dump station, fishing, miniature golf, L.P. gas, laundry, playground and pavilion. |
Kentucky River Campgrounds
1489 Steele Branch Rd.
502-227-2465
104 full-service sites, free cable TV, ice, camp store, showers, dump stations, L.P. gas, coin operated laundry, boat ramp, boat gas & oil, live bait, fishing and swimming, playground, 2 pavilions, boat and camper storage, primitive tent sites also available. Open all year. |
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Lakeside Arena
1385 Duncan-Millville Road
(859) 873-9155
www.lakesidearena.com
Close proximity to major interstates, motels and restaurants, picturesque, rural atmosphere on 77 acres of rolling hills, lakes and bluegrass horse country. 60 camper hookups and showers. Multipurpose facility specifically designed for the horse & livestock industries and agribusiness-related trade shows, educational programs, sales and exhibits, in an all weather atmosphere. |
Lovers Leap Winery & Vineyards
Lanes Mill Road, Lawrenceburg, KY
502-839-1299
www.loversleapvineyardky.com
Tour the grounds, sample the wines, and visit the gift shop. Special events are offered throughout the year. |
Salato Wildlife Education Center & Game Farm
#1 Game Farm Road, U.S. Highway 60 W.
502-564-7863.
Wide variety of educational programs and workshops year-round for children and adults. For information about group tours, educational programs, special events, shelter reservations, or volunteer opportunities call the center or visit online at www.fw.ky.gov |
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Frankfort Area
Chamber of Commerce
100 Capital Ave. Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 223-8261
Fax: (502) 223-5942
chamber@frankfortky.info
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