Music park planned for western Kentucky

HARTFORD, Ky. - A music park is being planned in the western Kentucky town of Hartford.

Susan Matthews told the Messenger-Inquirer that she is turning a former country club near the William H. Natcher Parking into Kentucky Music Park. She says the venue will offer different genres of music on a monthly basis including bluegrass, rock, country and jazz.

In addition, the 72-acre site has a golf course, a fishing lake and camping sites. Matthews says there are plans to build a total of 26 cabins on the property, which also features trails for hiking, a covered bridge and a flower garden.

The main focus, however, will be music.

"We're planning a community day on June 15 to invite the community in to see what we're doing," Matthews said. "We'll have a band playing."

Matthews says the park will host a bluegrass festival on July 4-6 featuring James Monroe, the son of bluegrass icon Bill Monroe. Matthews said there will also be performances by Kings Highway and other regional bands.