Big Bone Lick

The Friends of Big Bone will hold a dinner and roast to honor former Boone County Judge Executive Bruce Ferguson (1963-1982 and 1986-1992).  As President of the Big Bone Historical Association, Ferguson worked with William Fitzgerald (secretary) to raise funds to establish a park in the Big Bone Lick area.  On December 12, 1958, they purchased 17 acres of land from Alpha and India Hance for $5,000.  This land became the seed for Big Bone Lick State Park, which was formally established in 1960.  Ferguson has remained a supporter of the park over the years.

The dinner-roast will be held October 6, 2011 at Receptions Conference Center on Donaldson Road in Boone County.  The reception starts at 5:45 p.m. with dinner at 6:45 p.m.  Cost is $55 per person.  Funds raised by this dinner will be used to upgrade the Visitor’s Center and further promote and preserve the history of Big Bone Lick State Park.

The Friends of Big Bone are looking for anyone who has worked with Judge Ferguson or who wishes to participate in the roast.  To receive an invitation to the dinner, call (859) 689-5631 or send an email.

A new sign graces the entrance to Big Bone Lick State Park: NATIONAL NATURAL LANDMARK, EST. 2009.

The National Natural Landmarks (NNL) Program began in 1962 to recognize and preserve important natural history sites.  It is the only national program that recognizes the best examples of biological and geological features in both public and private lands.  Big Bone Lick State Park joined an elite group of only 586 sites across the United States that have received NNL status.  There was a special ceremony in the park on May 1, 2009.

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Big Bone Lick State Park in Boone County, Kentucky is recognized again as one of “America’s Top 100 Parks” by ReserveAmerica.  The park was selected from more than 3,000 evaluations by park professionals and campers across North America.  The criteria included scenic views, historical importance, hiking trails, kid-friendly atmosphere, children’s activities and more. 

ReserveAmerica is the largest provider of campsite reservations in North America facilitating more than 4 million transactions per year and manages reservations for Kentucky State Park campgrounds.

State Parks Commissioner Gerry van der Meer said the ReserveAmerica recognition speaks highly of Kentucky State Parks as a whole. “That Kentucky State Parks repeatedly earns the confidence and gratitude of users and parks professionals says a lot about the quality we offer.  Not only are five parks out of thousands of campgrounds in the top 100, some parks rank in multiple categories,” he said.  “These awards reinforce how valuable our parks are for the state’s economic development, preserving Kentucky’s natural resources and providing quality recreation and camping opportunities that attract people from all over the nation.”

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Big Bone Lick State Park has been named as one of the Top 50 Educational & Historical Facilities in the United States by ReserveAmerica.  The list was announced along with the nation’s seventh annual "Top 100 Family Campgrounds," a guide to help campers and their families plan camping trips at locations across America’s great outdoors.  The list also includes ReserveAmerica’s top biking trails, beaches, scenic views, water recreation parks and more.

To determine the top campgrounds and locations, ReserveAmerica reviewed and evaluated over 4,000 parks on criteria including educational programs, overall beauty and scenery, family beaches, visitor centers and camping amenities such as hot showers and laundry facilities.  The featured locations were also selected based on testimonials, campground ratings and feedback provided by park rangers, regional park management and campers throughout the year.

ReserveAmerica provides information and reviews about more than 300,000 campsites, cabins, day use facilities, and picnic areas.

Story and Complete Lists at Yubanet

The National Park Service honored Big Bone Lick State Park for its designation as a National Natural Landmark in a ceremony today at the park in Boone County, Kentucky.

The National Natural Landmarks (NNL) Program began in 1962 to recognize and preserve important natural history sites.  It is the only national program that recognizes the best examples of biological and geological features in both public and private lands.  Big Bone Lick State Park joins an elite group of only 586 sites across the United States that have received NNL status.

According to the National Park Service: “Big Bone Lick in Boone County, Kentucky is unique for its combination of salt springs and associated Late Pleistocene bone beds.  The site has been referred to as the birthplace of vertebrate paleontology in North America.  The Big Bone fossils played a very important role in the development of scientific thought regarding the idea of extinction and the relationship of geology and paleontology.”

There was a good turnout for the NNL Dedication Ceremony, which was hosted by the Friends of Big Bone, a non-profit organization committed to research and education related to Big Bone Lick.

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Big Bone Lick State Park has been named a National Natural Landmark (NNL), the National Park Service announced today.  The park joins an elite group of 586 sites across the United States that have received NNL status.  The program began 1962 to recognize and preserve important natural history sites.

Big Bone is one of four sites added today to the NNL program.  The others sites are: Nottingham Park Serpentine Barrens in Pennsylvania, Cave Without a Name in Texas, and the Chazy Fossil Reef in Vermont and New York.

A National Park Service press release says: “Big Bone Lick in Boone County, Kentucky is unique for its combination of salt springs and associated Late Pleistocene bone beds.  The site has been referred to as the birthplace of vertebrate paleontology in North America.  The Big Bone fossils played a very important role in the development of scientific thought regarding the idea of extinction and the relationship of geology and paleontology.”

Story at Cincinnati Enquirer