Knottsville Playground and Horse Fork Creek Park will be getting some renovations thanks to awarded funds for both parks. Renovations for both include adding handicap-accessible ramps for guests.
At Knottsville Playground, the association wants to construct a handicap ramp and public walkway from the lower-level baseball diamond to the upper-level diamond.
Part of the renovations also include updating the concession stand at the park.
President of the Knottsville Playground Association, Paul Millay, said they received a donation toward the construction and will only need $12,000 from the maintenance fund that the Fiscal Court allocates toward each park.
Millay said they wanted to renovate the park to make it more welcoming for all who come.
“We want it to be more welcoming to the entire community, not just the people who can navigate the hills. We want to be able to have everyone out there,” he said.
Millay said the concession stand will be more centrally between the two ballfields.
For Millay, he wants the construction to be completed by April 15 for the baseball season, but more importantly, he doesn’t want to rush the process. He said they are still undergoing discussions with the Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission before they can get the construction started.
“My long-term goal is for this to benefit the community for the next 10 years. So, if we have to take a few extra months to get it right, we’ll take a few more months to get it right,” Millay said.
At Horse Fork Creek Park, they also want to install handrails and a handicap-accessible ramp to ensure the park is ADA-compliant. The County approved a $13,000 bid to On Time Fab, Inc.
They estimate completion by March 15, 2024.
Parks and Recreation Director Jordan Rowe said the Parks Department is working to make the parks more accessible and welcome more guests throughout the year. Similar renovations have occurred throughout the County Parks System, including the elevated trail at Panther Creek Park and updating the disc golf courses at both Yellow and Panther Creek parks.
