RUSS MEYER,

Commissioner, Kentucky State Parks

Russ Meyer was appointed by Gov. Beshear to serve as the Commissioner of Kentucky State Parks on September 25, 2020. 

Under the leadership of Commissioner Meyer, the Department of Parks oversees the Commonwealth’s 48,000-acre park system that welcomes nearly 6.7 million visitors each year. Home to 45 state parks, including 17 resort parks, Kentucky’s state park system operates an annual budget of nearly $100 million. 

Meyer served as state representative for the 39th House District for nearly six years. As state representative, Meyer served on a variety of legislative committees, including the Local Government and Banking & Insurance to Transportation; Tourism, Small Business & Information Technology; and Health & Welfare. 

Prior to his first term as state representative in 2014, Meyer served three terms as Nicholasville city commissioner and two four-year terms as mayor. 

KTIA: In addition to having been a state legislator, you have also served as a city commissioner and as a mayor. And now the Governor has appointed you as the Commissioner of Parks. What is it that attracts you to public service?

Truthfully, I have always had a heart for public service, even since I was young. Placing Kentucky on a road map for success has and will always be my vision for the future. Serving the Commonwealth and representing the interests of the people is the root of public service and my personal decision to dedicate my career to the people of Kentucky. My service to the Commonwealth is based solely upon my love for Kentucky, not politics. 

KTIA: Anyone who comes into a new position encounters surprises – the unexpected.  What are some of the more significant surprises you have encountered as State Parks Commissioner? 

You always hear people talk about how Kentucky is home to the finest park system in the nation, but you never realize the truth of that statement until you explore our state parks. Each park represents the diversity and the uniqueness of the communities in which they reside. The people within our park system truly love their park and their community. The pride that our employees take in our parks is unbelievable and has been a consistent value that our staff shares across all 45 state parks. 

KTIA: What new and innovative experiences are being offered this summer and fall at state parks? Are there others on the drawing board? 

Outdoor recreation, particularly golf and camping, has been a major part of our marketing efforts throughout this pandemic. The pandemic brought about a new demand for these activities, which allowed our parks to continue to attract visitors despite COVID-19. Kentuckians’ desire to engage in outdoor recreation and the need to social distance created an opportunity for our parks to attract new travelers. Today, we are still seeing that demand and we are creating new vacation packages that will attract families, as well as groups and tournaments to state parks. 

KTIA: Apart from state parks, Kentucky's tourism industry consists of a diverse array of visitor experiences, including distilleries, horse farms and racing, outdoor recreation and adventure, theme parks, museums and many other attractions. There has also been expansion in recent years of the supply of hotel rooms. Where does the Kentucky State Park System fit into that mix of Kentucky tourism assets?

Throughout the pandemic, Kentucky State Parks have continued efforts to modernize our park system. Modernization efforts represent a bi-partisan commitment between state officials and local communities to enhance safety and improve aesthetics at Kentucky State Parks. Our commitment to modernization has allowed us to focus our efforts on improving guest experiences and complete much needed maintenance projects. We believe that in order for us to be competitive in the tourism industry, the future of parks will require a collaborative bi-partisan effort to ensure every corner of the Commonwealth feels the value that Kentucky State Parks bring to the tourism industry. 

KTIA: During the pandemic, state parks and other outdoor attractions benefited from peoples’ desire to be active in the safest ways possible. Do you think that demand will recede to pre-pandemic levels? Why or why not? 

This past year, Kentucky experienced record breaking numbers for hunting, fishing, golf and camping, which created much needed travel revenue for our parks and local communities. Camping and golf were major revenue generators for the park system throughout the pandemic, and that demand continues today. With 13 golf courses across the Commonwealth, we believe that this new demand for golf will allow us to better promote our courses to attract new markets, particularly tournaments to Kentucky. Kentucky took an aggressive approach to prevent the spread of COVID-19 throughout the Commonwealth, and as a result, Kentucky is seen as a safe destination and is open and ready to welcome both national and international visitors. The attention that Kentucky is getting for our willingness to put the health and safety of our citizens and our guests first will continue to play a key role in attracting travelers post COVID-19.

KTIA: Please discuss the overall picture of marketing state parks, including where the Kentucky Department of Tourism and local destination marketing organizations (DMOs) fit into that picture. 

Promoting Kentucky as a diverse travel destination is part of our ongoing efforts to attract new, diverse travel markets to Kentucky and our parks. Currently, the Department commits $300,000 annually to market and promote Kentucky State Parks, which includes website maintenance. Parks are marketed statewide in addition to border states. Annual marketing efforts include: TV, radio, social media and Kentucky Living and Kentucky Monthly Magazine. Television ads are limited due to cost. While our marketing budget is limited, we continue to look for funding opportunities that will allow us to increase our marketing efforts to attract visitors to Kentucky.  Our staff currently works closely with the agencies within the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, as well as local partners and communities to identify opportunities to promote travel to Kentucky. 

KTIA: How do you respond to the observation made by some that with the extensive deferred maintenance and other needed improvements, that we have too many state parks? Related to that, what are the circumstances, if any, under which the Department would transfer a park to a different entity? 

The Department recognizes the importance of our parks and the economic impact that parks bring to communities throughout the Commonwealth. We remain confident in the future of our parks and believe that as the nation’s finest state park system, that our parks are worth the continued investment.

KTIA: The Department of Parks has 650 employees and another 600-700 seasonal staff.  What are your keys to effectively managing such a large group of employees who are located throughout the state?

Communication and teamwork is the core of my management style and the key to our department’s success. The Department of Parks is composed of dedicated, hardworking public servants who are truly passionate about Kentucky, especially tourism and our parks. Our employees are the backbone of the park system and their innovation is a vital part of what makes each park so unique.

KTIA: You spent five years as a state legislator before being appointed by the Governor as State Parks Commissioner. Please help us understand the mindset of legislators in regard to the tourism industry. Most understand the general importance of tourism, but there are those who don’t seem to embrace it as an industry and one that is a major driver of the state’s economy. What is your advice for the industry to become more prominent in the thinking and actions of legislators? 

As one of the state’s largest economic impactors, Kentucky tourism serves as a mechanism for driving economic growth in communities within all 120 counties. This past year, the importance of tourism and its ability to generate travel revenue to communities throughout the Commonwealth has become more important than ever before. At Parks, we see each discussion with legislators as an opportunity to tell our story and share the impact that our parks have on local communities. We are committed to working with legislators to find long-term solutions as part of a bi-partisan effort that will place Kentucky’s tourism industry and our parks on the path to success. We believe an investment in our parks is an investment in tourism, and most importantly, an investment in Kentucky. 

KTIA: Look into your long-term crystal ball and please share your vision of Kentucky state parks 10 years from now. 

Kentucky State Parks are committed to providing a sustainable system of parks that delivers quality programs, amenities and services. Our goal is to create memorable experiences and a sense of place, preserve the historic and natural integrity, as well as the traditions of our parks for existing and future generations. State Parks work to promote Kentucky as an inclusive travel experience that welcomes visitors of diverse backgrounds and interests. Our vision for Kentucky’s parks system is to build public and private partnerships to ensure that state parks bring both recreational and economic value to the communities throughout the Commonwealth. 

Looking ahead, our needs and desire to be competitive in the tourism and hospitality industry continue to grow. The modernization of state parks will require a continued investment in general maintenance across our park system, which will include upgrades/repairs of signage, pools, campground, dam safety reconstruction, roads and fitness facilities. We will continue to prioritize projects based on life safety, the severity of need, and structural deficiencies. Investing in state parks is an investment in the tourism industry and is the key to Kentucky having a competitive state park that attracts visitors from around the nation. 

KTIA: What is the best personal trip you’ve ever taken and why? 

My favorite trips were the ones our family took all over the country to watch my son play golf. It was great family time and a way to see different places while enjoying our love of golf. It also led to my son playing golf for the University of Kentucky!