Kentucky Converts Old Golf Course to 225-Acre Park

The 225-acre site will be organized across three natural ridges. Ridge one emphasizes civic and family-friendly amenities — an enlarged fishing pond, dog park, destination playground, outdoor fitness area, shelters, restrooms and an observation tower. Ridge two is the adventure hub with a bike park featuring a skills area, bike playground and pump track, plus a climbing wall, nature play and a planned Go Ape treetop facility. Ridge three focuses on exploration via an extensive trail network designed for hikers and mountain bikers of varying abilities.

Construction begins Sept. 14 and the county will fully close the property for safety during buildout; a groundbreaking event is scheduled for Sept. 21. The county expects roughly 70% of the property to remain untouched by major construction, and the park is expected to open in late summer 2028. J.S. Held is the owner’s representative, Bayer Becker and Human Nature are leading design, and Prus Construction is the construction manager.

Closed golf courses are attractive conversion sites for several reasons: they already have roads, graded surfaces, parking areas and utilities, plus existing manipulated topography—mounds, berms and drainage corridors—that can be adapted into trails and skill features with less earthmoving than undeveloped land. Many are also close to population centers, reducing travel time for riders and increasing community value.

For trail builders and counties, the infrastructure and established land-use for recreation (as with the Fox Run deed restriction tied to Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars) make conversion a practical way to preserve green space while delivering high-impact amenities. That infrastructure translates to lower baseline costs for parking, bathroom facilities and access — allowing more budget to go into trail design, features and long-term sustainability.

Across the U.S., municipalities and non-profits are turning closed golf courses into parks that prioritize nature restoration, multi-use trails and active recreation. What sets the Kenton County project apart is its explicit bike-park focus combined with a retained majority of untouched land (about 70%), plus investment in both family/civic amenities and an adventure ridge with a Go Ape partnership and an on-site pump track. That multi-use mix makes it a regional destination rather than a single-purpose conversion.

Key comparisons to other conversions are in scale and intent — some projects emphasize wetlands and wildlife habitat restoration, others prioritize community athletic fields or wooded trail networks. Kenton County's model balances civic uses, destination play and a purpose-built mountain bike area, which is an emerging best practice for building community support while attracting riders from beyond the county line.

The bike area will include a skills course, bike playground and pump track — features that serve beginners, families and skills-focused riders training for flow trails. The larger ridge network will cater to hikers and mountain bikers, with trails that likely range from easy fire-road connectors to purpose-built singletrack with berms, rollers and technical line options. Designers Human Nature and Bayer Becker are experienced with landscape-forward park planning, so expect sustainable alignments that avoid erosion-prone lines and protect the site's natural resources.

Because the park will host a spectrum of users, trail designers will likely implement clear wayfinding, separation where needed (e.g., dedicated bike lines vs. hiking trails), and progressive features so riders can build skills. Pump track users should follow posted etiquette: single-rider lines, right-of-way rules and no glass or bikes with excessively aggressive tires that damage the surface.

Different parts of the park will reward different setups. For the pump track and bike playground, a nimble hardtail or even a dedicated 26"/27.5" pump-track bike is ideal — short chainstays, responsive geometry and low standover. For the ridge singletrack, a 120–150mm travel trail bike or a 140–160mm short-travel enduro bike will cover most lines comfortably.

Key gear recommendations:

• Bikes: Trail bike examples include Trek Fuel EX (130–150mm), Giant Trance (130–140mm) or Santa Cruz Hightower/Bronson (140–150mm) depending on how technical the trails become.
• Forks & shocks: RockShox Pike/Fox 34 (120–140mm) for trail bikes; Fox 36 or RockShox Lyrik for more aggressive lines.
• Wheels & tires: 29" for speed and rollover on flow trails; 27.5+ for playful handling. Run tubeless with tires like Maxxis Minion DHR II or Continental Trail King in 2.4–2.6" widths.
• Protection: Trail helmets (Bell Sixer, Giro Manifest) for cross-country and trail sections; a light full-face for skills features or when trying steep technical runs.
• Essential upgrades: reliable 4-piston brakes (Shimano Deore XT level or similar), dropper post (OneUp or RockShox Reverb), and a durable chain guide if you plan aggressive laps.

Kenton County is closing the site for the duration of construction for safety; current passive uses will remain inaccessible during buildout. That pause lets contractors (Prus Construction and partners) work more quickly and safely, and it reduces liability during heavy earthmoving and construction activities. Riders should respect the closure — illegal trailbuilding or access can jeopardize grant funds, permitting, and community goodwill.

When the park opens, volunteer trail stewardship will be essential. Expect local clubs and friends groups to form for maintenance days, and consider signing up early to help. Sustainable trail design combined with regular maintenance reduces long-term repair costs and keeps features rideable through wet seasons and heavy use.

Follow Kenton County communications for construction updates and volunteer opportunities. Participate in public outreach and design feedback sessions if they reopen them during phased construction. Local advocacy and volunteer groups often shape trail etiquette, signage, and maintenance programs — getting involved early ensures the park meets local rider needs.

Practical prep: get comfortable on a pump track (local skateparks or pump track facilities), practice progressive skill-building on your trail bike, and tune your bike for repeated laps (brake pads, fresh tires, tubeless sealant). When the park opens, arrive early, follow posted rules, and be mindful of mixed-use areas where hikers and children may be present.

When will the park open and is any of the site open now?

Construction begins Sept. 14 and the site will be fully closed during buildout. The county anticipates opening the park in late summer 2028. Prior to construction the property was open for passive recreation (hiking, walking, fishing), but the full closure is necessary for safety during the construction phase.

Will the bike park include beginner-friendly features?

Yes. The master plan specifies a skills course, bike playground and pump track — all ideal for beginners to learn balance, cornering and small jumps. Designers typically create progressive lines so riders can advance at their own pace.

Can I volunteer to help with trails or maintenance?

Yes. Most county parks and trail projects welcome volunteer groups and local clubs to help with stewardship. Watch Kenton County announcements and local cycling clubs for organized trail days and stewardship programs once construction nears completion or after opening.

How will the project protect natural areas and wildlife?

Roughly 70% of the property will remain untouched by major construction. The master planning process included analysis of natural resources and public input to guide trail alignments that minimize erosion and habitat disruption. Human Nature and Bayer Becker are integrating sustainable practices into the design.

Is the Go Ape facility confirmed and what is it?

A Go Ape facility is planned for the adventure ridge. Go Ape is a commercial treetop ropes-course operator offering elevated obstacle courses, ziplines and aerial challenges. Its inclusion adds a paid-adventure component to complement free park amenities.

What kind of bikes are best for the ridge trail network?

A mid-travel trail bike (120–150mm travel) is versatile for mixed singletrack. If trails trend more technical, a longer-travel trail or short-travel enduro bike (140–160mm) will be more comfortable. Hardtails are great for pump track and skills areas and can handle smoother singletrack.

Will the park charge admission?

Kenton County has not announced general admission fees for the park. Some commercial components like Go Ape typically charge for their services, while public amenities (trails, pump track) are often free. Watch official county releases for fee and parking policies.

How can trail design avoid conflicts between hikers and bikers?

Good practice includes separate alignments for high-speed bike features, clear signage for shared-use trails, sightline improvements at blind corners, and educational campaigns about right-of-way. The master plan process included public engagement to identify preferred layouts and mitigate user conflicts.