Siler to push for golf course at Cumberland Falls

Whitley County’s representative in the Kentucky House of Representatives said it’s high time Cumberland Falls State Resort Park was home to an 18-hole golf course and he said he’s going to push during this session of the General Assembly, which started Tuesday, to secure money for the project.
Eighty-second District State Rep. Charles Siler (R-Williamsburg) said construction of an 18-hole golf course at the popular park is an idea is feasible and necessary.
“The truth of the matter is, Cumberland Falls has been one of the most profitable parks in the state system for a number of years, but it suffers from people arriving, spending one night, seeing the falls, then leaving the next day,” Siler said. “If they had something else to do than to just look at the falls … it could increase the length of time people stay.”
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is continually one of the most well attended parks among the 52 in Kentucky’s park system. Visitors stay an average of 1.4 days, lower than other parks like Kentucky Dam Village where visitors stay an average of over three days.
Siler said a golf course would also be a draw for possible industry as well.
“It’s one of the gold rings on industry’s lists,” Siler said. “Major industries will not willingly take their people away from the ability to play golf. It’s important to them.”
Siler said the project is feasible and has asked a group to put together a plan for a course so that if funding can be secured, a blueprint for its location and construction will be ready. He said a large portion of land, ravaged by the southern pine beetle, has been recently acquired by the park service.
“It’s close to the falls and it’s adequate for a gold course both in acreage and in the lay of the land.”
Siler said he doesn’t know how much the project would cost, but said he feels somewhat confident he can get funding for it this legislative session. He said Senate President David Williams (R-Burkesville), who also represents Whitley County, supports the idea.
“I have a commitment from the senator to sustain it in the senate,” Siler said. “I think it looks good.”
The park is currently undergoing a $2 million “modernization” project that includes structural fixes to scenic overlooks and renovations to all 52 guest rooms at DuPont Lodge.