The Boone Creek gorge and Kentucky River palisades offer a complimentary but contrasting landscape to the bluegrass savannah for which Lexington, Kentucky is known worldwide. Our gorge and the palisades river region were the first areas settled by pioneers streaming over the Cumberland Gap. Following the wilderness road here to the Kentucky River area, the first seeds of commerce created the foundation for our signature brands when Kentucky was still a part of the Western Frontier. We are located less than 100 yd off exit 99 on I-75 on Old Richmond Road and about 20 minutes from downtown Lexington.
Our Zipline Canopy Tour features 6 zip lines (the longest of which is almost 1400 ft long!), 3 sky bridges, a rappel, a spiral and floating staircase: all suspended from the magnificent hardwoods. During the tour you will traverse in and over the gorge and Boone Creek itself soaring up to 200 feet in the air gaining perspectives that are otherwise impossible to achieve. As you make your way through the native hardwood canopy you are able to reach breathtaking views as our guides share local history and knowledge of the unique ecosystem to be found here on Boone Creek and in the Kentucky palisades region. The Boone Creek Zipline Canopy tour is a thrilling multidimensional experience for the entire family.
Current Sustainable Practices
Below are the initiatives Boone Creek Outdoors has completed on the Green Check scorecard.
Sustainability Management and the Green Team
- Designated a Sustainability Coordinator responsible for managing sustainability initiatives.
Awareness, Education and Outreach
- Includes sustainability tips on social media.
- Includes a sustainability statement and training in all new hire materials.
- Provides volunteers for community environmental projects annually.
- Hosts an environmental events at Boone Creek Outdoors.
- Sponsored an environmental booth at an existing community event.
Energy Efficiency
- Established a power-down policy and checklist that includes items such as shutting off lights at night.
- Set water heater thermostats to a maximum of 120 degrees.
- Had HVAC system evaluated every 2 years by a certified service provider.
- Established a dress code that encourages employees to dress for thermal comfort.
- Installed programmable thermostats and use them to adjust temperature during unoccupied hours.
- Insulated roof to control energy loss.
- Installed efficiency-rated HVAC of minimum standard SEER rating of 14.0.
- Utilizes daylight work spaces wherever possible.
Waste Reduction and Recycling
- Implemented a basic recycling program.
- Provides clearly marked recycling bins at work stations and/or in common areas.
- Trains and requires staff responsible for cleaning to segregate waste and recyclable materials.
- Uses reusable mugs and dish ware instead of disposable plates, cups, and utensils.
- Established a policy for environmentally friendly printing such as two-sided printing, reusing copy paper, and electronic document sharing.
- Developed a composting program.
Water Conservation
- Assess, track, and document water consumption using Energy Star Portfolio Manager or similar program.
- Installed water efficient toilets in all of the restrooms.
Water Quality
- Established a policy for proper disposal of fats, oils, and grease, distribute to staff, and post in key areas.
- Established preventative maintenance program for sanitary sewer lateral lines on the property.
- Coordinated in a community litter clean-up.
- Before washing parking lots, Boone Creek Outdoors sweeps debris/litter and does not use cleaners.
Urban Forestry and Landscapes
- Participated in a community reforestation project.
- Assessed the ecosystem services of trees on property using the National Tree Benefits Calculator.
- Established a sustainability statement for landscape contracts.
- Established a native species-only plant replacement policy for tree and shrub planting.
- Removed all invasive species from property.
- Established an Integrated Pest Management policy to reduce use of pesticides in the landscape.
- Established environmentally friendly lawn care policies to reduce chemical pesticide and fertilizer use.
- Planted a rain garden.
Transportation Efficiency
- Established and implemented a no-idling policy.
- Adopted a telecommuting option for some employees.
- Designated parking spaces for hybrid vehicles and/or install EV charging stations.
- Installed weather-protected bike storage (indoor or outdoor).