Learn how community engagement unlocked the potential of the Barren River in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Bowling Green was founded because of its location near the Barren River. The Barren River is the Green River's largest tributary and is named for the barrens, large treeless grasslands found along its course. The first small steamboat reached Bowling Green in 1828. A series of locks and dams completed in 1838 make the river easily navigable for larger steamboats all the way to the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.

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 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.

Future of the Riverfront

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.

We asked the community what they would like to see for the future of the riverfront and how we could create a riverfront park destination. The results help give us direction on what the community would like to see at the riverfront and how we can create a riverfront park destination.

Design Concept

Inspired by the movement and flow of water across and through Bowling Green’s karst landscape, Riverfront Park presents a multi-layered conceptual framework that weaves together the meandering riparian edges of the Barren River and the vast network of underground caves that are unique to the Bowling Green area. Divided into The Terrace (West Riverfront Park) and The Flats (East Riverfront Park), the flowing network of proposed paths and trails offers opportunities to connect users with park destinations, activities, nature, and the river’s edge. Proposed pathways provide multiple loops and circuits for walking and jogging while also connecting people to a variety of natural landscapes including meadows, wooded areas, and the riparian edge of the Barren River. These pathways also provide connectivity between more active areas of the park including play areas, performance lawns, food truck areas, interactive water features, and a canopy walk elevated in the trees.

Located in The Flats, the promenade offers a 20-foot-wide multiuse pathway along the edge of the river and provides access to strategically placed riverfront “windows” that provide park users the opportunity to observe and connect with the river

in a more intimate and intentional manner. With the removal of invasive vegetation along the riverbanks, these riparian windows provide a more accessible opportunity to engage with the water through overlooks, fishing piers, rock ledges, rapids, and kayak launches. Located within The Terrace, the Upper Green offers nearly 2.5 acres of lawn for outdoor events and concerts. An outdoor pavilion/stage provides the opportunity for Bowling Green to offer outdoor performances and concerts to seat nearly 1,500-2,000 people comfortably and provides space for food trucks, play areas for kids, and convenient access to parking.

Throughout the park, there are several opportunities for park users to engage in unique play and areas. From a sculpted bouldering wall to themed play spaces for younger users, the Riverfront Park will be a destination for all ages and abilities to come together and improve community health and wellness.

The City received an award of a National Park Service (NPS) Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) grant in the amount of $750,000. As part of the grant application, the City agreed to provide a $1.5M match towards the grant. The City desires to develop the park over multiple phases with Phase I being ORLP and City Match funded.