From the Appalachian Mountains to the western plains, Kentuckians have a shared responsibility to help preserve both our state’s natural beauty and community landmarks, helping Kentucky communities shine.
Kentucky’s electric cooperatives partner with the governor’s office and Kentucky Living in this annual initiative to recognize local efforts to improve public spaces, preserve our state’s natural beauty and help communities shine.
2025 Beautify the Bluegrass finalists
Logsdon Valley Park Trail renovations – Grayson County Tourism brought new life to Logsdon Valley Park, located in Leitchfield, and the trail system there. The space is one they hope families can come to enjoy the outdoors. New steps were installed to make trail access easier, and a new bridge was installed. The prior bridge was washed away by flooding. Outdoor events, like concerts, can now be enjoyed at the new stage. Kids can enjoy a new play area, and the basketball court was resurfaced. It is the town’s only outdoor basketball court.
Irvin Schoolhouse renovation – Anissa Hammond and her sisters started to renovate the Irvin Schoolhouse in May 2021, and they call it a labor of love. It’s a school that has ties to multiple generations of their family. The siding and windows were replaced. The inside got now new life as well with paint, refurbished hardwood floors, and electricity. In 2022, a kitchenette was added so the building could be rented, giving their rural community a small venue option. Over the years, more updates have been made with a new roof, heat and air-condition, a patio, a gravel parking area and landscaping. They have plans to continue sprucing up the area around the schoolhouse, with steppingstones and planting trees. Hammond says while this project allowed them to save a one-room schoolhouse it also helps their community create new memories with loved ones as they have a new space to gather.
Operation Community Cleanup – It was a day of service in April 2025 that involved more than 750 volunteers picking up trash at various sites in Owensboro and Daviess County. The day focused on beautification and was organized by the Issac Sterett Adventure Foundation, the organization hopes to inspire an appreciation for nature. The 2025 event was their third-annual beautification effort. They ask volunteers to form teams, which this year included 32, and worked in different areas to collect trash. Each team gets in the competitive spirit, trying to gather the most trash and to ultimately win the “trash Trophy”, recognizing their hard work over the next year. This year’s effort concluded with volunteers collecting more than 450 bags of trash and many more items that could not fit in bags.
Loretto clocktower plaza project – A vacant lot in the heart of downtown Loretto went from being the location of mounds of discarded dirt, concrete from formerly demolished buildings, and overgrown vegetation to a point of pride. It was in 2023, Beautify Loretto, Inc. broke ground and the work to erect the clock tower plaza began. The plaza features the clock tower that can play a variety of bell tunes, landscaping, and new flags. The plaza has become a space to gather and remember veterans.
The “Boo” Singleton Project – The inaugural Boo Singleton River Sweep & Roadside Cleanup was held on June 7, 2025. More than 100 volunteers focused on cleaning up trash around small creeks connecting to the Licking River and roadsides around Butler. The cleanup resulted in volunteers collecting of 36 passenger tires, four semi tires, 1,000 pounds of scrap metal, and more than 2,500 pounds of trash. The trash collected was also sorted for recycling. This event, created by Pendleton County Tourism and multiple other organizations, was held to honor the late Robert “Boo” Singleton, a man who was actively engaged in his passion of cleaning the Licking River when he tragically passed in April. The June cleanup was able to honor Singleton and his passion for conservation but also bring the community together to preserve their environment.
The voting form closed on Aug. 29.
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