NKyTribune staff
The Boone County Fiscal Court has temporarily closed the Boone County Cliffs State Nature Preserve due to significant erosion problems and potential safety hazards.
The Fiscal Court, which voted unanimously to close the park at Tuesday’s regularly scheduled meeting, took the action with the support of Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission.
Over the past couple of years, as more visitors have used the preserve, damage to the trail and vegetation has occurred that requires remediation.
During the temporary closure – which is expected to last 12 months, a comprehensive resource management plan focused on protecting the unique geology and ecology of the site will be developed and implemented. Trails will be re-routed and restored and significant erosion problems and potential safety hazards will be addressed.
Boone Cliffs is located at 4990 Middle Creek Road in Burlington. Middle Creek Park will remain open during the closure.
The County will post signage and provide information on it website regarding the closing.
Boone County Cliffs has been a dedicated State Nature Preserve since 1988, owned and managed at that time by The Nature Conservancy, who subsequently transferred the property to the Boone County Fiscal Court in 2011.
