By GAGE WILSON
For Glasgow News 1
At a special-called meeting of the Park City Tourism Commission on Wednesday, June 25, members addressed the body’s 2025–26 budget, heard an update from city commissioner Mike Burgess, and discussed plans for an inter-county trail connection.
The commission has been approved for $30,000 — the maximum amount available — through the Kentucky Trail Town Grant. Commissioners were briefed by director Linda Watts on Park City’s standing among the Barren River District’s designated Trail Towns.
“We are trying to connect trails — that’s what Trail Town is all about,” Watts said. “We’ve been trying for years to find a way to connect Bowling Green with Mammoth Cave.”
Watts explained that in order to do so, visitors would need to pass through Park City. She specifically referenced the Mammoth Cave Railroad Trail, which would connect to Bowling Green’s Riverfront Trails. “We want to use some of that money for signage,” she said. “We need signs that say, ‘That is the Mammoth Cave Railroad Trail.’”
The Barren River Area Development District recently hosted a public input session to highlight the plan to build a trail that connects downtown Bowling Green to Mammoth Cave. The Railroad Trail in Park City would be included in the trail.
Documents shared with commissioners outlined plans by the Barren River Area Development District to build a trail that connects Bowling Green and Mammoth Cave National Park. Gage Wilson/For Glasgow News 1
During new business, Burgess provided updates and ideas for this year’s Bigfoot Festival. Building on the success of the inaugural event last year, he shared what he and others believe will make this October’s festival even better.
“We were thinking about using the Lion’s Club as our ‘Kids Corner’ and then getting a big tent to house the speakers,” he said. “What we’d do is have them speak for an hour each, and they could set up their slideshows and everything.”
The idea stems from technical issues that impacted last year’s speakers at the Bell’s Tavern pavilion.
“I’ve got one other thing I’m working on, so everybody can stay informed,” Burgess said. “I’m working on trying to get a hotel for Park City.” He added that he’s being advised by the Kentucky League of Cities on how to attract potential businesses.
“We’re just in the initial stages, but what they look at are the demographics. Well, we don’t fall into the demographics of building a big hotel here,” he said. “But you can’t just go by the demographics, because we have tourism.”
Burgess also assured those present that plans for a strip mall near I-65 are still active.
While remaining optimistic, he acknowledged delays. “It’s still on, it’s just taking longer. Everything about that plot is taking longer than we ever expected.”
Lastly, commissioners reviewed the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Watts noted that few changes were needed and no new line items were introduced. She said costs for supplies and brochures had gone up, and added that the budget includes increased funding for community engagement. She pointed to the city’s support of two first-time events — the Highland Games and Bigfoot Festival — as efforts likely to continue. The budget was approved unanimously.
The commission’s next meeting is scheduled for July 8.
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