John James Audubon State Park
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John James Audubon State Park is located on U. S. Highway 41 in Henderson, Kentucky, just south of the Ohio River. Its inspiration is John James Audubon, the ornithologist, naturalist and painter who resided in Henderson from 1810 to 1819 when Henderson was a frontier village. Audubon operated small businesses there with mixed success, but his passion was exploring the forests of the region and sketching and painting wildlife, particularly birds.
Audubon Park consists of approximately 700 acres, primarily hilly forests that include a 338-acre state nature preserve with old-growth trees and trails.
Highlights include the internationally acclaimed Audubon Museum that features numerous valuable examples of Audubon art as well as a gift shop and nature center; a nine-hole golf course; six cottages; a 69-acre campground that can accommodate tents and campers; a 28-acre manmade fishing lake with rental pedal boats; 6.5 miles of forest hiking trails; tennis courts; four picnic shelters; and playground.
A variety of year-round, interpretive programs are conducted under the direction of a full-time naturalist and museum educator. Programs focus on art history, as well as native plants, animals, conservation and recycling.
Audubon Park receives local support from a not-for-profit organization, the Friends of Audubon.
The park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
[edit] External links
Kentucky State Parks web site: John James Audubon State Park
