Cherokee State Park, Historical state park in Marshall County, Kentucky
Cherokee State Park is a 300-acre park along the shores of Kentucky Lake with a beach area, fishing docks, picnic grounds, and various recreational facilities. The grounds connect to Kenlake State Resort Park, offering visitors access to additional outdoor activities and amenities year-round.
The park opened in 1951 as the first African American state park in Kentucky and the South during the segregation era. This establishment marked a significant moment in the region's history of race relations.
The park served as an important gathering place for African American families from Western Kentucky, Southern Illinois, and Northern Kentucky during the 1950s. They came here to enjoy leisure activities that were unavailable to them elsewhere.
The park is accessible year-round with facilities for picnicking, fishing, and beach activities. Visitors should note that the grounds are relatively flat and easy to navigate, with access to expanded amenities at the neighboring resort.
The Tennessee Valley Authority constructed the park with a 200-seat dining hall, twelve cottages, and a maintained sandy beach despite the naturally rocky shoreline. This engineered landscape shows the considerable effort invested in creating this recreational destination.
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