HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Just in time for the first day of spring, families have packed the new Rotary Park at Pardue Lane as the temperatures warm up and the sun shines.

“The project was completed as scheduled, and children are encouraged to enjoy the playground and park,” Public Works Director Mike Perry told Christian County Now. Construction of this phase of the new city park actually concluded back in December of 2025, which includes a gazebo, walking trails, connecting sidewalks, and light poles.

The playground was designed with accessibility and inclusivity in mind by Miracle Playgrounds. Spanning over 13,000 square feet, there are a dozen slides, swings, a merry-go-round, musical play equipment, and plenty of areas to climb and explore. Benches are located around the playground along with nearby restrooms and picnic tables.

The location of the park gives direct access to the Hopkinsville Dog Park, and the Greenway Rail Trail. Areas around the playground still have caution tape to prevent people from walking through the still growing grass.

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Timeline of construction for Rotary Park, funding process

The park began as a Community & Development Services project that was eventually turned over to the city in 2023. Although the idea for the park has floated around for several years, the ball really got started rolling in summer of 2024 as the Hopkinsville City Council awaited the results of a complex grant process.

Various grant funding sources, $400,000 in leftover FEMA funds, a $100,000 donation from the Hopkinsville Rotary Club, community fundraising, and over $300,000 in city dollars were all utilized to cover the cost of the park, with playground alone coming with an $800,000 price tag.

Before construction began in March of 2025, it was decided that the park would be broken into two phases, with the second phase on hold due to cost. The city will eventually add on a basketball court, parking lot, and an additional pavilion and sidewalks.

At a later date, the city will host an official ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of the park in an official capacity along with erecting a park sign.

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