PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (May 30, 2025) – Building on the New Kentucky Home initiative, Jenny Wiley State Resort Park’s lodge is undergoing $5.5 million in renovations to enhance visitor experiences. Additionally, the park will add a new archery center that will be accessible to the public and provide opportunities for local, invitational, district and regional tournaments.
Gov. Andy Beshear signed legislation in 2023 that allocated $5.5 million for Jenny Wiley State Resort Park lodge improvements and $1.45 million for a new archery center, which the General Assembly approved during the legislative session.
“Investing in our state parks like Jenny Wiley helps attract travelers to our New Kentucky Home while supporting our local communities. Time and time again, Jenny Wiley has been there for our neighbors during tough times, sheltering those impacted by floods out east,” said Gov. Beshear. “These upgrades enhance visitor experiences and ensure our parks continue being safe havens to Kentuckians when they need them most.”
This project demonstrates Team Kentucky’s strong commitment to improving facilities across Kentucky State Parks, providing visitors with modern amenities to fit today’s needs. The archery center is scheduled to break ground in the fall of this year. May Lodge, which includes the dining room, meeting rooms and lodge rooms, will close Sept. 1, 2025, for renovations with an estimated completion date in the summer of 2026. During this time, a dining room will operate out of the conference center.
In addition to the lodge closures, the campground and cottages will remain closed to the public, as they are being used to shelter Kentuckians displaced by recent flooding.
Located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, Jenny Wiley State Resort Park is a vacation retreat in one of the nation’s finest outdoor recreation areas. Although the lodge, cottages and campground will be closed, the park will still offer a variety of activities and amenities, including hiking, biking, fishing, a playground, picnicking, seasonal events and more.
“These improvements at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park will create more reasons for travelers to visit the eastern region and experience all the wonderful amenities and outdoor recreation Jenny Wiley has to offer,” said Kentucky State Parks Commissioner Russ Meyer. “We’re excited to see how these enhancements will improve the state park experience for locals and visitors alike.”
During the 2024 legislative session, Gov. Beshear signed House Joint Resolution 56, releasing $71 million for capital construction projects at various state parks, including building systems upgrades, accommodation improvements and recreational amenity enhancements. Gov. Beshear also signed House Bill 6, allocating over $66 million for state park upgrades for various parks.
Gov. Beshear announced that $720,000 in new grant funding is available for Kentucky Trail Towns to repair, enhance and promote recreational projects.
To capitalize on Kentucky’s historic economic momentum and record-breaking tourism success, Gov. Beshear launched New Kentucky Home, a strategic initiative to further drive economic investment, attract and retain talent and increase tourism across the commonwealth.
In 2024, the Governor announced that 2023 was the best year on record for tourism, with $13.8 billion in economic impact and 95,222 jobs. This followed a record-breaking 2022 when he announced that tourism had generated more than $12.9 billion in economic impact and secured 91,668 jobs in Kentucky that year.
Kentucky’s impressive economic success over the last five years is a direct reflection of the Beshear administration’s continued investments in the tourism industry.
In December 2024, Gov. Beshear announced that the commonwealth achieved another historic milestone, marking a new record with 10 new tourism development projects set to generate an estimated $256 million in economic investment. These projects also are expected to create 1,696 jobs once operational.
In 2022, Gov. Beshear announced $75 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to boost the state’s tourism industry and economy. Previously, the Governor dedicated $5.3 million in federal funding to 103 tourism and destination marketing organizations in 88 Kentucky counties.
Since the beginning of the Beshear administration, 33 tourism development projects totaling an estimated investment of $1 billion have received final approval. Once operational, these projects will create roughly 4,825 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history.
For the latest updates and information on events or for more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit parks.ky.gov. Kentucky is home to 44 state parks, including 17 resort parks and 13 golf courses.
