Beautify Barren County presents latest projects

GLASGOW, Ky. (WBKO) – Beautify Barren County, a local nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the county's natural beauty and environment, showcased its latest projects during a community event Thursday evening.

Founded about a year ago, the 501(c)3 organization introduced new plans aimed at revitalizing public spaces and fostering pride in Barren County communities.

The event at the Ole French Restaurant attracted local residents, government officials and volunteers eager to learn more about the nonprofit's future endeavors.

The projects presented included:

• Signage along Interstate 65: A comprehensive effort to install welcome signs near the Cumberland Parkway at Exit 43. Five renderings were shown at the event, showing variations of large signs similar to those welcoming motorists in Warren County and Bowling Green.
• Mowing projects: The Glasgow and Barren County governments are working together to mow and maintain lawns along the Cumberland Parkway and Veterans Outer Loop.
• 31E (Scottsville Road) Median Project: The median near South Green Elementary School along Rogers Wells Boulevard/31E, currently a concrete barrier, is being considered for a beautification project. Organizers envision the end result similar to the grassed median on Cemetery Road in Bowling Green.
• Highway 90 median project: The group is focusing on high traffic volumes in areas such as Monroe and Cumberland Counties and plans to improve the median along Highway 90 in eastern Barren County.
• Christmas celebrations: Last Christmas, Beautify Barren County sponsored an expansion of the Christmas lights in downtown Glasgow. This year, the group plans to increase the festive atmosphere even further by installing two additional artificial Christmas trees and more vibrant lighting in the downtown area.
• Halloween Sponsorship Event: An annual event on the last weekend of October celebrates the group's sponsors and achievements. The group announced that it plans to continue the tradition it started last year with a costume party that it hopes will become a fixture for years to come.

Jamie Byrd, Barren County Judge/Administrator and Beautify Barren County board member, emphasized the importance of community involvement in these projects.

“I want to hear from people. I want to hear their ideas,” Byrd said. “This is something that everyone needs to be a part of.”

When Byrd took office in 2023, locals raised concerns about the limited view of Barren River Lake when crossing the bridges. In response, the group worked with Chad Harston of Kentucky Lakefront Properties to clear trees and brush and restore the scenic view.

Byrd noted that small projects like this are part of the group's larger effort to beautify Barren County.

“We want them to remember Barren County,” she said. “We also want our own citizens to be proud of Barren County.”

State Rep. Steve Riley, who represents Barren County in the Kentucky House of Representatives, also spoke at the event. He mentioned a recent trip to Mount Airy, North Carolina, commended the community for its impressive beautification efforts and said Barren County has the potential to achieve similar recognition.

“We want to be a destination where people want to come visit us,” Riley said. “Because when they do, we can showcase our county and help all of our businesses; that's a very positive aspect for our county.”

Beautify Barren County's board of directors is made up of 15 women, including President Kylie Foushee.

She explained that the group's role is to serve as a bridge between local government and the community.

“Our goal is to go to our government officials and say, 'This is what we want Barren County to look like. These are the projects we envision. This is how we want it cleaned up. Can we come together and make this happen?'” Foushee said.

At the end of the evening, participants expressed their excitement about the new projects and the positive changes expected for the area. Some participants also gave their feedback on the renderings presented at the event.

Through ongoing community support, Beautify Barren County aims to have a lasting impact on the community. Learn more here.

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