Thanks to federal funds through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, 32 Kentucky communities will soon see new projects at local parks.
$3.9 million has been alloted to communities across Kentucky for a variety of outdoor, health-related improvements.
Projects include the renovation or replacement of playground equipment, construction of walking paths and bringing recreational facilities into compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility guidelines.
“These dollars improve parks across Kentucky and make them more accessible to all Kentuckians,” said Governor Andy Beshear. “We will continue to make our parks a priority. They bring a sense of community, offer a place for our families to spend time together outdoors and are worthy of continued investment.”
To receive the federal funds, which are administered at the state level by the Department for Local Government, selected applicants must undergo federal review and receive approval from the National Park Service.
The following were selected to receive funds:
- City of Augusta (Bracken County): $25,000 to resurface a tennis court and update fencing and nets at the city park.
- Bath County: $245,000 to build four little league baseball fields. The project will include dugouts, lighting, bleachers, scoreboards, a concession stand, restrooms and asphalt parking spaces.
- City of Berea (Madison County): $245,000 to repair the pool at the city park.
- Boyd County: $80,600 to construct a splash pad within Armco Park.
- Breckenridge County: $25,473 to make improvements to the Hardinsburg Sports & Recreation Complex. Enhancements include replacing LED light fixtures surrounding the ballfields and paving the entryway and surfaces under the bleachers.
- Bullitt County: $245,000 to repair and update the existing Maryville Park swimming pool for safety and sustainability.
- City of Campton (Wolfe County): $69,697 to purchase new playground equipment for their city park.
- City of Centertown (Ohio County): $25,000 to add swing sets, a pavilion and walking trails to the city park.
- City of Crescent Springs (Kenton County): $245,000 to install new playground equipment at Lou Hartfiel Memorial Park.
- Daviess County: $145,808 to improve lighting around recreational fields and courts at Stanley Park.
- City of Fort Thomas (Campbell County): $125,000 to build a skate park in Highland Hills Park.
- City of Grayson (Carter County): $87,500 to install an inclusive swing area to the Grayson Sports Park.
- Harrison County: $245,000 to relocate flood-prone baseball fields from River Road Park to Flat Run Veterans Park.
- City of Harrodsburg (Mercer County): $217,730 to build a new playground and install a sprinkler system at Anderson Dean Park.
- City of Hartford (Ohio County): $87,680 to install playground equipment, resurface a basketball court and renovate two baseball fields at Ellis Park.
- City of Hawesville (Hancock County): $161,438 to build a new city park.
- City of Henderson (Henderson County): $245,000 to make improvements to Anthony Brooks Park. Improvements include installing a splash pad, updating play structures and installing restrooms.
- City of Jackson (Breathitt County): Jackson plans to use $25,000 to buy new bleachers for five playing fields at Kiwanis Park.
- City of Jeffersontown (Jefferson County): $245,000 to help construct an amphitheater at Veteran Memorial Lower Park.
- Knott County: $130,000 to help rehabilitate several Knott County parks that were damaged by the 2022 flood. Improvements include repairing the basketball and tennis courts, installing playground equipment and ADA swings, landscaping and adding benches, grills, trash receptacles, and picnic tables to Ball Creek Park, Jones Fork Park, Kite Park and Hindman Park.
- Lincoln County: $75,000 to help install pickleball courts in Veterans Park.
- City of Loretto (Marion County): $56,780 to improve play structures at the city park. Improvements will include installing inclusive playground equipment, swings with toddler seats and accessible swings.
- Madison County: $43,506 to update playground equipment at White Hall Park.
- City of Manchester (Clay County): $27,182 for renovations to the Beech Creek Campground. Renovations include resurfacing the existing parking lot and play area, upgrading playground equipment and installing new basketball goals and a bike rack.
- City of Mount Sterling (Montgomery County): $245,000 to help construct a natural playground and outdoor amphitheater adjacent to the Adena Walking Trail.
- Muhlenberg County: $125,000 to purchase and install playground equipment at the South Carrollton and Millport community parks.
- City of New Haven (Nelson County): $50,082 to improve the city swimming pool, purchase basketball goals, add new field tile to the ballfield at New Haven Municipal Park.
- Owsley County: $85,497 to build a splash park and walking track in Booneville.
- City of Paintsville (Johnson County): $245,000 to demolish the existing public pool and construct a splash pad at the site.
- City of Prestonsburg (Floyd County): $37,000 to resurface, re-stripe, and install new nets at the existing tennis court facilities at Archer Park. One court will be converted into a pickleball court.
- Pulaski County: $27,593 to purchase and install playground equipment for children aged 5 through 12 at Pulaski County Park.
- City of Waverly (Union County): $49,031 to update playground equipment at the city park.
