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About Paducah Parks and Recreation
Paducah has more than two dozen parks and facilities for the public to enjoy with Noble Park as the largest and most utilized with its dog parks, pool, skatepark, amphitheater, lake, ball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, greenway trail access, and playgrounds. Other large parks include Stuart Nelson Park with its disc golf course and greenway trail access and Brooks Stadium Park with its beautiful stadium. Paducah Parks & Recreation also is involved with the Paxton Park Municipal Golf Course overseen by the Paxton Park Golf Commission.
Seasonal Hours - From November through March, Paducah's parks close around 9 p.m. The parks stay open until 10 p.m. during the other months. Regarding restrooms, during the winter the downtown and Brockenborough Rotary Health Park restrooms close at 8 p.m. with the Kolb Park and Coleman Park restrooms winterized and closed for the winter.
Christmas in the Park - Paducah Power System's Christmas in the Park is held annually at Noble Park. This drive-through light display is free with donations of cash or non-perishable food suggested. The display leads to the closing of Noble Park's courts and ball fields during the display hours. The 2023 display is open November 23 through December 31. Hours are 6 until 9 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
For details about Parks & Recreation ordinances, visit Chapter 70 of the Paducah Code of Ordinances. The City of Paducah invites the public to use the public parks, playgrounds, and recreational areas for their recreational purposes in compliance with the Kentucky Recreational Use Statute (KRS 411.190). The Parks & Recreation Director or designee has the authority to close parks or park areas.
Some park shelters and facilities can be reserved for private use.
Shelter and Facility Reservations
Buildings and Recreational Facilities
Anna Baumer Community Center (at Noble Park)
Arts & Crafts Building (at Noble Park)
Brooks Stadium (2400 Brooks Stadium Drive)
Disc Golf Course (at Stuart Nelson Park)
Greenway Trail
Noble Park Pool
Ohio River Boat Launch
Paducah Recreation Center (1527 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive)
Paducah Sports Park (to be constructed at former Bluegrass Downs site and Stuart Nelson Park)
Parks and Recreation Classrooms and Paducah-McCracken County Senior Center (1400 H.C. Mathis Drive)
Parks and Recreation Offices (2701 Park Avenue inside Robert Cherry Civic Center)
Paxton Park Golf Course
Robert Cherry Civic Center (2701 Park Avenue)
Skatepark (at Noble Park)
Spraygrounds and Splashpads
Transient Boat Dock
Dog Parks
Independence Park Dog Park (114 Forest Circle)
Noble Park Dog Parks (2801 Park Avenue)
Parks
- Albert Jones Park
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Albert Jones Park is located at the former Henry Clay Elementary School site just northeast of Brooks Stadium at 855 Joe Bryan Drive. Amenities include a lighted, asphalt walking path (0.22 mile) with benches.
- Brooks Stadium and Park
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Brooks Stadium and Park is located at 2400 Brooks Stadium Drive. The stadium is home to the Paducah Chiefs Baseball Club. The park includes a softball field, soccer field, and more.
- Caldwell Park
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About the Park
Caldwell Park is a small neighborhood park located at 1401 Park Avenue. It's 0.3 acres in size and includes the Almyr Sherrell Edwards Memorial.
Almyr Sherrell Edwards Memorial - Soldier Boy Monument
The monument to honor Almyr Sherrell Edwards (1872-1892) is often called the Soldier Boy monument. Private Edwards of Company C, 3rd Regiment Kentucky State Guard died July 13, 1892, while on active duty. His unit was activated at the request of Paducah's mayor in response to a riot by an armed group of citizens intent on freeing a suspect from the local jail.
The inscription reads: The rolling seasons pass away, and Time, untiring, waves his wing; Whilst honour’s laurels ne’er decay, But bloom in fresh, unfading spring. And thus this man died, leaving his death for an example of a noble courage, and a memorial of virtue, not only unto young men, but unto all his nation. Responding to the call of his state and in the enforcement of her laws, he met a soldier’s death. As a tribute to his memory and to perpetuate his name, this monument has been erected by the citizens of Paducah.
- Dolly McNutt Memorial Plaza
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Dolly McNutt Memorial Plaza is located at 301 South 5th Street between Paducah City Hall and the McCracken County Courthouse. The Plaza encompasses one square city block. There are four memorials in the park recognizing veterans who served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Global War on Terrorism.
- Greenway Trail
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The Clyde F. Boyles Greenway Trail extends more than 5 miles. The trail is open to non-motorized traffic from dawn to dusk. The trail links residential neighborhoods with the Perkins Creek Nature Preserve, three city parks, the McCracken County trail system, and the riverfront. Distance markers, shelters, and benches are located along the trail.
- Independence Park
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Independence Park is located at the corner of Lone Oak Road and Alben Barkley Drive (114 Forest Circle). The park is open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset. It's a fenced park with a gazebo, benches, picnic tables, irrigation, and climbing boulders for the kids. The gate to enter the park is off Forest Circle. The park is divided into two sections: a designated dog park area and a non-dog park area.
- Keiler Park
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Keiler Park is located at 2900 Broadway. This 3 acre park is well shaded featuring four picnic shelters, a playground, and gaga pit. Shelters #1 and #2 can be reserved for gatherings.
- Kolb Park
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Kolb Park is a 2-acre park located at 1650 South 6th Street. The park has a picnic shelter, playground, restroom facilities, and open space large enough for a game of kickball.
- Lang Park
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Lang Park also known as Circle Park is located at 350 Fountain Avenue. It is located in the center of a roundabout. Along with a grassy area, the park features a statue of General Lloyd Tilghman. The park is 3.2 acres.
- Langstaff Park
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Langstaff Park also known as Betsy Ross Park is located at 1312 Langstaff Avenue. It's a small (0.6 acre) neighborhood park with a picnic shelter and playground.
- Lowertown Texaco Park
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The Lowertown Texaco Park is located at 402 North 7th Street in the Lowertown Arts District. This small park serves as an information center and point-of-interest for the neighborhood.
- Market Square Art Park
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NOTE - THIS PARK IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
The Market Square Art Park is small city-owned park located at 117 ½ Market House Square. It previously was a vacant lot located between two downtown buildings.
In addition to seating areas and landscaping, the park features metal art panels designed by Char Downs, fiber art banners created by Freda Fairchild, glazed ceramic art tiles by John Hasegawa, and the sculpture, Fluid Progress, by Paducah School of Art & Design sculpture students Michael Copeland and Lu Colby.
- Midtown Park
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About Midtown Park
Midtown Park, located at 1122 Adams Street, is a hidden gem of approximately 5 acres of green and wooded space along with a picnic shelter and parking near the Downtown and Uppertown areas of Paducah.
Donation to Paducah School District
In September 2022, a section of the park was donated to the Paducah Independent School District to enhance the soccer area behind Jetton Soccer Field. The property is being developed for additional soccer facilities including a youth soccer field, a high school practice field, and parking.
History
Prior to donating a section of the park to the School District, Midtown offered a free nine-hole golf course, disc golf course, and FootGolf. The City of Paducah acquired the original ten-acre property on June 17, 1975, from the Urban Renewal & Community Development Agency to create a park for the Southside. Development in the 1990s by Charles Turok led to the creation of a free, municipal nine-hole golf course to encourage and grow the sport of golf. Disc Golf and FootGolf were added in 2000’s but were decommissioned in 2022 with the donation to the School District.
- Noble Park
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Bob Noble Park is Paducah's premier park with a variety of recreational activities on its 135 acres. The park is located at 2801 Park Ave with entrances on Park Avenue, H.C. Mathis Drive, and Cairo Road. The park is one of the most popular locations for events such as fundraising walks and 5K races, birthday parties, or an afternoon of enjoyment. It has several amenities including the Noble Park Pool, skatepark, Greenway Trail access, basketball courts, tennis courts, and more.
- Oak Grove Cemetery
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Oak Grove Cemetery, located at 1613 Park Avenue, is managed by the Paducah Parks & Recreation Department. The cemetery has an estimated 35,278 platted lots. Oak Grove Cemetery offers a free Wireless Hotspot location.
- Ohio River Boat Launch
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The Ohio River Boat Launch is located at the intersection of North 6th and Burnett Streets (275 Burnett Street) just north of downtown and the Paducah-McCracken County Convention Centers. The lighted facility includes a 5 to 6 lane boat ramp, an 85-space parking area, and courtesy dock.
- Pat & Jim Brockenborough Rotary Health Park and Sprayground
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The Pat & Jim Brockenborough Rotary Health Park located at 421 North 13th Street is an outdoor health park that promotes healthy living. Amenities include a playground, community garden, walking path, fitness and agility equipment, and a seasonal sprayground.
- Paxton Park Golf Course
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Paxton Park Golf Course is a beautiful, 18-hole championship public golf course located at 841 Berger Road in Paducah. The Paxton Park Golf Commission oversees the golf course.
- Perkins Creek Nature Preserve
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The Perkins Creek Nature Preserve is approximately 80 acres of undeveloped natural land. It is located on Coleman Road and County Park Road on the west side of Paducah. The Nature Preserve is a future site for a segment of the Greenway Trail.
- Robert Coleman Park
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Robert Coleman Park located at 1100 Walter Jetton Boulevard is a popular location for family reunions and for fun in the sun at its sprayground, basketball court, and playground. At a dedication on May 13, 2009, the park's name was changed from Blackburn Park to Robert Coleman Park to honor Paducah's longest serving elected official Robert Coleman. Coleman served as a City Commissioner for 31 years.
- Schultz Park and Riverfront Area
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Schultz Park is located at 200 North Riverfront in downtown Paducah. This park along the riverfront features scenic views of the Ohio River. It's a great spot for photos and picnics. The park is adjacent to the Transient Boat Dock and has access to the Greenway Trail.
Wilson Stage along the riverfront hosts many events throughout the year including the and Independence Day Celebration with fireworks.
- Stuart Nelson Park
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NOTE: This park is closed to the public to prepare for the construction of the Paducah Sports Park. Stuart Nelson Park, 175 Stuart Nelson Park Road, is a large park (approximately 55 acres) off Park Avenue near Noble Park.
- Voor Park
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Voor Park is located at 1203 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. This park that is less than a half acre (0.4 acre) is a great neighborhood park to play half court basketball or go for a short walk. Note: The basketball court was surfaced in 2022.
Matrix of Parks
Undeveloped Parks
Cherry Park - A small, undeveloped park in a residential setting located at the intersection of Hillcrest Avenue and Wedgewood Place
Floodwall Right-of-Way Trail - A section of the floodwall levee on the south side of Paducah that could have a future greenway trail segment
Forrest Cove - A small, undeveloped park in a residential setting located at the intersection of Forrest Cove and Forrest Avenue
Island Creek Sanctuary - A water retention area located at 1501 South 9th Street
