The Russell Sims Aquatic Center opens Memorial Day weekend. City Summer Fun Camp, the Lampkin Park sprayground, Beech Bend's Splash Lagoon and free concerts.

Last checked Oct. 16, 2026. This page is updated each year; it is set up for summer 2027. The 2027 pool schedule and camp registration are posted by Bowling Green Parks and Recreation in spring; until then, the 2026 dates below show the pattern and say so. Bowling Green Parks and Recreation: 270-393-3249.

Summer in Bowling Green runs from Memorial Day weekend, when the city pool opens, to Labor Day, when it closes. Memorial Day 2027 is Monday, May 31, and Labor Day 2027 is Monday, Sept. 6. The last day of school is May 20, 2027, for Bowling Green Independent Schools and May 25 for Warren County Public Schools, according to our schools guide.

Key contacts

  • Russell Sims Aquatic Center: 270-393-3271. Text WaterBG to 866-554-2755 for pool updates.
  • Camp registration: playBGPR, opens in April.
  • Parks and Recreation: 270-393-3249, 225 E. Third Ave.

The city pool: Russell Sims Aquatic Center

The Russell Sims Aquatic Center is at Preston Miller Park, 2303 Tomblinson Way. It has a 50-meter pool, two water slides, two diving boards, zero-depth entry, a splash playground and a beach area, with concessions and American Red Cross certified lifeguards. Season passes are sold through playBGPR.

2026 season, for planning:

2026
Opening day Monday, May 25 (city calendar)
Last day Monday, Sept. 7, Labor Day (city calendar)
Sunday 1 to 7 p.m.
Monday to Wednesday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Hours change during the season, for rainouts and special events. In 2026 the pool held sensory and adaptive swim times, Shark Week drive-in movie nights in July and a summer beach party. The city says to check its social media for changes.

Splash pads

  • Limestone Springs sprayground, Lampkin Park, 826 Woodway St., next to the playground and shelters (Lampkin Park).
  • Splash playground inside the Russell Sims Aquatic Center (pool admission).

Summer camps

Summer Fun Camp, run by Bowling Green Parks and Recreation from the F.O. Moxley Community Center, 225 E. Third Ave., is for ages 6 to 13, with games, arts and crafts, music, dance and outdoor activities. Lunch and snacks are provided. In 2026 (city listing):

  • Session 1: June 1-26. Session 2: July 6-31.
  • Drop-off: 7:30 a.m. (early) or 8 a.m.
  • Registration: opened online at 10 a.m. April 13 at playBGPR and ran until full. A camp open house was held May 28.
  • Scholarships: a limited number, approved before registration day.
  • Questions: Omar Rogers, 270-393-3259.

Bowling Green Parks and Recreation also ran youth tennis camps in April, May and June 2026; see the BGPR program booklet (PDF) and playBGPR for the 2027 schedule.

Summer reading

The Warren County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program is open to children 18 and under (Summer Reading). In 2026 its kickoff was a free event at Ephram White Park during Duncan Hines Days on June 4.

Beech Bend’s Splash Lagoon

Beech Bend Park and Splash Lagoon, 798 Beech Bend Road, combines rides, the Kentucky Rumbler roller coaster and a water park. In 2026 the park opened May 8 and Splash Lagoon opened on weekends from May 16; most summer days the park ran 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Splash Lagoon 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to its 2026 operating calendar.

Free summer nights

  • Concerts in the Park, Circus Square Park, 601 State St., Friday nights in June, July and August. In 2026 the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center took over the series, which ran June 12 to Aug. 28 (listing).
  • Fountain Row Fridays, free live music on Fountain Square from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Fridays; the 2026 spring series ran May 8 to June 26 (listing).
  • Duncan Hines Days, a week of free events across town in early June; June 1-6 in 2026 (listing).

The Fourth of July has its own page: Fourth of July fireworks.

Frequently asked questions

When does the Russell Sims Aquatic Center open?

The city pool at Preston Miller Park opens on Memorial Day weekend. In 2026 it opened Monday, May 25, and closed for the season on Labor Day, Sept. 7. The 2027 dates had not been posted as of Oct. 16.

What are the Russell Sims Aquatic Center hours?

In 2026 the pool was open 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Text WaterBG to 866-554-2755 for updates, or call 270-393-3271.

Does Bowling Green have a summer day camp?

Yes. Bowling Green Parks and Recreation’s Summer Fun Camp for ages 6 to 13 is based at the F.O. Moxley Community Center. In 2026 it ran in two sessions, June 1-26 and July 6-31, with online registration opening April 13.

Where is the splash pad in Bowling Green?

Limestone Springs sprayground is at Lampkin Park, 826 Woodway St. The Russell Sims Aquatic Center also has a splash playground and zero-depth entry.