Bowling Green's city parks: Kereiakes, Lampkin, Preston Miller, the Riverwalk, Hills Bark dog park, boat ramps and greenways. Hours and addresses. 270-393-3249.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. Facts on this page come from Bowling Green Parks and Recreation (BGPR), 225 E. Third Ave., 270-393-3249, and its park rules.

Bowling Green Parks and Recreation runs about 30 parks and facilities, including community centers, two golf courses, an aquatic center and the city’s cemeteries. Reserve a shelter or field through playBGPR online.

Who to call

  • Bowling Green Parks and Recreation: 270-393-3249, 225 E. Third Ave.
  • Greenway maintenance: Public Works, 270-393-3363
  • Park text alerts: sign up with BGPR

Park hours

The city’s park rules set these hours:

  • Parks with lighting: sunrise to 11 p.m., every day.
  • Parks without lighting: sunrise to dusk, every day.
  • Locked nightly: the H.P. Thomas dog park and the city cemeteries at dusk; Kereiakes and Lampkin parks at 10:30 p.m.; the Lovers Lane Soccer Complex at dusk in winter and 10:30 p.m. the rest of the year.

Camping and sleeping in city parks are not allowed. Bikes, skateboards and skates stay off playgrounds, splash pads, shelters and restrooms.

The big parks

Park Address Size Highlights
Hobson Grove Park 1200 W. Main St. 222.6 acres The historic Hobson House, golf, disc golf, ball fields, playground
Mitch McConnell Park “Riverwalk” 426 E. Riverview Drive 71.7 acres Riverside walk, the College Street pedestrian bridge, mountain biking
Lampkin Park 826 Woodway St. 66.9 acres Five softball fields, tennis, the Limestone Springs sprayground
Covington Woods Park 1044 Covington Ave. 57.7 acres Nine-hole Paul Walker Golf Course, ball fields, tennis
Weldon Peete Park Old Louisville Road 54 acres Boat ramps, Low Hollow mountain bike trail, greenway
Preston Miller Park 2303 Tomblinson Way 53.7 acres 1-mile trail, 18-hole disc golf, sand volleyball, Russell Sims Aquatic Center
Kereiakes Park 1220 Fairview Ave. 47.8 acres 1.25-mile trail, 10 tennis courts, disc golf, ball fields

Dog park, skate park and splash pad

  • Hills Bark Park (dog park), inside H.P. Thomas Park, 850 Cave Mill Road. About 4.5 acres, opened in 2007, with separate small-dog and large-dog areas. Locks at dusk.
  • Bowling Green Skate Park at Roland Bland Park, 401 Center St., downtown. Rails, ramps, bowls and half-pipes for skates, skateboards and BMX bikes, open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. The park also has an accessible playground, pickleball, basketball and free Wi-Fi.
  • Limestone Springs sprayground at Lampkin Park, 826 Woodway St.
  • Russell Sims Aquatic Center at Preston Miller Park: two water slides, a 50-meter pool, a splash playground and zero-depth entry. Check the aquatics page for the season.

Trails and greenways

The city’s BikeWalkBG greenway trails run through Hobson Grove, James Hines, Kereiakes, Preston Miller, Roland Bland and Weldon Peete parks, the Lovers Lane Soccer Complex and the Riverwalk, according to BGPR’s park finder. The City-County Planning Commission runs the BikeWalkBG program and its free community rides.

  • Mountain biking: Low Hollow Trail at Weldon Peete Park, and trails at Mitch McConnell Park.
  • Nature trails: Chuck Crume Nature Park, 2035 Nashville Road, 20 acres off the U.S. 31-W Bypass; and Jennings Creek Nature Park and Playscape, 2617 Russellville Road, along the Creekwood Greenway.
  • New greenways: Public Works is building a path along Highland Way from Nashville Road to Smallhouse Road and along Smallhouse Road from Campbell Lane to Thimblefinger Way. See our road construction page.

On the river

Boat ramps are at James Hines Park and Weldon Peete Park. The city’s new Riverfront Park, about 71 acres along the Barren River tied to the College Street Pedestrian Bridge, is under construction; Phase I includes a new boat ramp, parking and sidewalks.

History in the parks

  • Fort C.F. Smith Park at Historic Reservoir Hill, 900 E. Main Ave., known locally as Hospital Hill, sits under the patriotic painted water tower with a playground and views over the city.
  • Hobson Grove Park surrounds the Hobson House, begun in the 1850s, halted by the Civil War and finished in 1872. See our history and landmarks guide.

Lost River Cave

Not a city park: Lost River Cave, 2818 Nashville Road, run by the nonprofit Friends of the Lost River, has walking trails open dawn to dusk year-round and a Nature Explore Playscape.

Frequently asked questions

What time do Bowling Green parks close?

City parks with lighting are open from sunrise to 11 p.m. every day, and parks without lighting from sunrise to dusk. Kereiakes and Lampkin parks lock at 10:30 p.m., and the H.P. Thomas dog park locks at dusk.

Is there a dog park in Bowling Green, Kentucky?

Yes. Hills Bark Park, about 4.5 acres inside H.P. Thomas Park at 850 Cave Mill Road, has separate areas for small and large dogs. It locks at dusk.

Where are the boat ramps in Bowling Green?

The city lists boat ramps at James Hines Park and Weldon Peete Park on Old Louisville Road. Weldon Peete also has the Low Hollow mountain bike trail.

Where is the skate park in Bowling Green?

At Roland Bland Park, 401 Center St., downtown. The skate park is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Where can I walk or bike in Bowling Green?

The city’s BikeWalkBG greenway trails run through Hobson Grove, James Hines, Kereiakes, Preston Miller, Roland Bland and Weldon Peete parks, the Lovers Lane Soccer Complex and the Riverwalk at Mitch McConnell Park.