HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – A new park is in development in Hopkinsville that would provide a significant addition to the existing dog park and Rail Trail on Pardue Lane.

The park was discussed during the Hopkinsville City Council meeting on May 7 as Public Works Director Mike Perry was brought up to speak about the status. He told the council they are facing an unfortunate circumstance and delay since their grant representative recently died.

“Engineers finalized plans and drawings in February 2024 after several revisions, the city grant writer forwarded to the state grant representative with appropriate paperwork for review,” Perry told Christian County Now. “The grant representative that was over this application passed away suddenly in March, and now we are waiting on others representative to finalize review.”

He told the council it is now in the hands of the state, also clarifying that he has been reaching out frequently for updates on the grant.

Councilmember Travis Martin suggested during the meeting that a sign should be erected at the future park location to reassure the public that the project has not been forgotten. The Hopkinsville Rotary Club has already contributed $100,000 for the naming rights of the new park.

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Grant details and timeline

The park began as a Community & Development project that was eventually turned over to the city in 2023, according to Perry. The city applied for multiple grants to fund this new park, including the Land and Water grant for $75,000 with a $75,000 match and the Rails Trails Program grant for $100,000 with a $20,000 match.

Perry said there is also $669,654 available from the American Rescue Plan Act that has been approved for this project. The donation from the Hopkinsville Rotary Club is specifically allocated for an all-inclusive playground at the park.

Due to the guidelines of the grant, they are unable to move forward and bid out construction for the project until they receive a Notice to Proceed from the state. The Land and Water grant and Rails Trails Program grant are both under a three-year deadline to complete the project, but with the delay a clear timeline is unknown at this time.