The new Coach Lester G. Mimms Trail is two miles long, and connects two Kentucky State Parks: the Historic Cherokee Park and Kenlake State Resort Park. But as you’ll soon see, this trail does so much more than merely bridge two formerly disparate parks. Named after long-time Kentucky Park Superintendent Coach Lester Mimms, this trail is significant for numerous reasons. Cherokee State Park was originally a blacks-only state park, created to complement the then-whites-only Kentucky Lake State Park (now Kenlake State Resort Park). Today, however, this new trail represents not only a literal bridging between two Bluegrass parks, but also a symbolic connection between two cultures.
It may be difficult to believe, but this beautiful Kentucky State Park has a past fraught with friction.
Lasermanmcgee/Wikimedia Commons
In 1951, Cherokee State Park opened in Kentucky as a blacks-only state park – the third park of this kind in the country.
Friends of Cherokee State Historic Park/Facebook
This 300-acre lakefront park was a favorite destination in the 1950s, boasting a beach, picnic areas, cottages, and more. But after the Civil Rights and desegregation movements of the 1960s, the park was closed.
Friends of Cherokee State Historic Park/Facebook
The park sat pretty much forgotten for decades, before becoming part of Kentucky’s Kenlake State Resort Park.
Friends of Cherokee State Historic Park/Facebook
And then, in late 2021, something incredible happened.
Friends of Cherokee State Historic Park/Facebook
Last December, the Coach Lester G. Mimms Trail opened, a two-mile trail connecting the historic Cherokee State Park with the Kenlake State Resort Park campground.
Friends of Cherokee State Historic Park/Facebook
Beautiful and accessible, this two-mile trek is a literal and symbolic bridging between two formerly disparate parks, peoples, and histories.
Friends of Cherokee State Historic Park/Facebook
Named after the original superintendent of Cherokee State Park, this trail is a welcome addition to the Bluegrass State. It’s a way of acknowledging our history – all of our history.
Friends of Cherokee State Historic Park/Facebook
No group or culture is perfect, and humans make mistakes. But when we can acknowledge the past and move forward together, with awareness and respect, that’s a beautiful thing.
Kentucky State Parks
And the Coach Lester G. Mimms Trail is, quite simply, beautiful.
Kenlake State Resort Park/Facebook Come and be part of this historic new moment in Kentucky history – this is one hike sure to leave a lasting impression.
This beautiful new trail is definitely worth checking out ASAP; we recommend adding it to your Bluegrass hiking bucket list!
Lasermanmcgee/Wikimedia Commons
Friends of Cherokee State Historic Park/Facebook
Kentucky State Parks
Kenlake State Resort Park/Facebook
Come and be part of this historic new moment in Kentucky history – this is one hike sure to leave a lasting impression.
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Address: Kenlake State Resort Park, 542 Kenlake Rd, Hardin, KY 42048, USA
