City unveils new Riverfront Park master plan

Published:

January 17, 2024

Category:

Downtown Development Division

Contact:

Brent Childers - 270-393-3658

Location:

Bowling Green, KY

Downtown Bowling Green’s much-anticipated Riverfront Park master plan was unveiled at today’s Board of Commissioners retreat at Sloan Convention Center. A project in the works for over seven years, the new Riverfront Park is set to be a pivotal moment in the history of downtown’s development.

January 17, 2024 –Bowling Green, Ky.— Bowling Green was founded because of its location near the Barren River. As transportation and commerce evolved from depending on riverboats, the L&N railroad construction, and eventually I-65 construction, Bowling Green’s downtown and riverfront were left behind. With the construction of new entertainment venues like SKyPAC, BG Ballpark, and Circus Square, the City and Warren County have worked together to revitalize downtown over the past couple decades. Now with Riverfront Park plans coming to life, we are reminded that this fastest-growing city in the Commonwealth has deep-running river town roots.

Downtown Bowling Green’s much-anticipated Riverfront Park master plan was unveiled at today’s Board of Commissioners retreat at Sloan Convention Center. A project in the works for over seven years, the new Riverfront Park is set to be a pivotal moment in the history of downtown’s development. The City of Bowling Green’s Neighborhood & Community Services Director Brent Childers says the new Riverfront Park will be unlike any other parks in all of Bowling Green and Warren County.

“This park’s outdoor adventure and festival themed elements will make it a regional destination, and aren’t like any other experiences in this area. The park’s amenities will be a catalyst for even more economic development, talent attraction, and workforce retention,” Childers said.

The City is constructing a new 70-acre park along the Barren River in the downtown area. Public input sessions were offered throughout 2023 in the form of in-person polls at downtown events for both adults and children, online survey gathering for several months on the City website, and public open houses and stakeholder forums.

“Taking something that was once a blight on our landscape, and turning it into a beautiful riverside park that will be used by generations of Bowling Green residents is the epitome of good governance,” said Mayor Todd Alcott.

“The investment of this quality of life initiative brings generational changes to Warren County’s way of life,” Warren County Judge Executive Doug Gorman said.

With design help from MKSK, a national landscape architectural firm with experience in transforming waterfronts and public spaces, this master plan lays out a long-term vision of what this park will be for the community. It includes 20 features that were the most popular from public info and stakeholder conversations; like a boat ramp and kayak launch, a tree canopy walk and water play feature, large lawns and pavilions for event spaces, an observation deck, adventure bike track to complement the existing Low Hollow Trail, bouldering walls for climbing, a natural playground, and even a whitewater park.

Southern Kentucky outdoor adventure and exercise stakeholders have been part of the park’s development. Chip Winger, President of the Southwest Kentucky Mountain Biking Association, says their group has been working with the City to create the Low Hollow Trail experience since 2012, and the group’s been advocating for expanding the park. “Fast forward 13 years to today, and we are full of excitement,” Winger said. “This will be a destination park for folks to exercise, unwind, and soothe the soul.”

Riverfront Park will create new growth and opportunities for downtown venues and attractions, especially those in the historic Shake Rag area and along River Street. Attractions like the George Washington Carver Center, the soon-to-be-redeveloped historic Southern Queen Hotel, and the State Street High School former gymnasium that’s being privately restored as The Mustang Club Wine Bar and Speakeasy, will be positively impacted by new traffic Riverfront Park will bring.

Downtown businesses in the area, like the newly-reopened White Squirrel Brewery and the new Mustang Club, are also looking forward to benefits from Riverfront Park’s development.

“The Mustang Club will be only two blocks from the park,” said Derrick Huff, owner of the new Mustang Club that’s under construction on the 200 block of State St. “The efforts of revitalization in this area of downtown will provide recreation and a draw of locals and tourists alike, providing a hearty and reciprocal relationship between the parks offerings and our businesses.”

Ultimately, the transformation of Riverfront Park begins the next chapter in Bowling Green’s history. Be part of the story: subscribe to Riverfront Park’s E-News, discover the master plan, and watch a mock up video of the park’s design in the Featured Links section of the City website’s home page: www.bgky.org.  

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Contact: Brent.Childers@bgky.org or 270-393-3658