Derrick Griffitts brings a fresh perspective to Shelby County Parks and Recreation, transforming Kentucky's hidden outdoor treasures into accessible adventures for everyone. As a 25-year PGA golf professional who now directs the entire 960-acre park system, Griffiths shares his unique vision for connecting community members with nature's wonders.

The conversation reveals surprising gems scattered throughout Shelby County's three major parks and four mini parks. From the professional-level disc golf course at Red Orchard Park to Lake Shelby's expanding RV camping facilities, these spaces offer more than just recreation—they provide genuine adventures. Griffiths describes personal discoveries made while wading through Clear Creek with his nine-year-old son, including a collectible amber 1910 Coca-Cola bottle and potential Native American artifacts, showing how history lives beneath the surface of these natural spaces.

Technology meets tradition at the golf center, where PGA Tour-level TrackMan simulators engage children with interactive games like Mystic Pond, where players hit animated creatures from virtual water hazards. Meanwhile, the Red Fern Riding Center partnership at Shelby Trails offers guided horseback tours through beautiful woodlands, creating memorable experiences for visitors of all ages.

The parks system truly shines in its community impact, hosting 885 games annually with 2,000 youth participants across multiple sports leagues. Griffiths shares moving stories of seniors finding renewed purpose and improved health through park activities, especially after retirement or illness recovery. "Parks can give people their life back," he explains, highlighting how these green spaces foster essential social connections.

Exciting developments are reshaping the parks experience, including a new website and mobile app for streamlined registration, a revitalized Family Activity Center with arcade games and sensory play elements, and a $150,000 grant-funded transformation of Little Heroes Playground with ADA-compliant recycled rubber surfacing. Plans for a music festival at Red Orch

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🥃 Plan a visit to Your Bourbon Destination® at www.visitshelbyky.com. Located in the heart of central Kentucky and less than an hour from Louisville and Lexington, ShelbyKY is the perfect Kentucky getaway. Complete with two great distilleries, action-packed outdoor adventures, and the best vacation rentals near Louisville, put ShelbyKY at the top of your list when planning a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® trip, romantic couples retreat, or a whole-family vacation.

🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is hosted by Janette Marson and Mason Warren and edited by Mason Warren.

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