REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) – Public-State Level

March 25, 2019

IMPLICATIONS OF CURRENT TRENDS FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION AT

A STATE PARK
Barren River Lake State Park
Contractor – Will Naylor
Reason for Visit:

The managers of Kentucky State Parks seek to improve the opportunities offered by better

anticipating future park challenges and opportunities. We are particularly interested in

identifying the most important trends that will be affecting park and park use during the next ten

years and anticipating the implications these trends will have for park management. We seek

qualified consulting organizations that can assist us in this regard and will award one contract for

work related to this effort.

Assessment:

My overall experience at Barren River Lake State Park was really good. I was impressed on how

many different things that they had to offer. Some of the activities the parks has to offer to guests

includes boating, lodging, challenge course, hiking, golf course, horses, and more. Upon

arriving, I noticed that all of the roads at the park are paved which in my opinion is rare from my

own experience visiting other parks. After talking to guest services in the main lodging area of

the park I learned from her that most of marina area floods each time it rains.

Social and Technological Trends and Implications:

The trends that can be found at the Barren River Lake State Park include the increasing concern

for personal health and safety, technological innovations, and the greater emphasis on

partnerships. The park has a big emphasis on partnerships because when walking inside the main

building I noticed the number of flyers that had a wide variety of people and organizations
partnering with Barren River Lake State Park some of which included a K-9 Academy and a bee

keeping group. The other trend that the park has that I noticed was the concern for safety because

some of the areas flood when it rains. When arriving, I noticed flood warning signs at the marina

and at the challenge course. The last trend that the Barren River State Park has is the different

technological innovations because I noticed that they had flyers asking to download their app.

Recommendations for Management:

I cannot think of any recommendations for management for the Barren River Lake State Park

because it was well maintained whether it be no trash in sight or a person always available to

help you at the front desk. Overall, it is a good park to visit to because of the amount of activities

it has to offer.