A former golf course in Kentucky is being transformed into a sprawling 225-acre public park featuring hiking and biking trails, climbing structures, a dog park, interactive water features and a potential Go Ape aerial adventure course.According to the August 2026 edition of What’s Happening, the future New Kenton County Park in Independence is expected to break ground in 2026, marking a major new chapter for the former Fox Run Golf Course. County leaders envision the property as a destination where families can spend an entire day exploring, playing and enjoying the outdoors.“This project has always been about creating something completely different from anything else in our region,” Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann said. “We want this park to become a place where families can spend an entire day exploring, playing and making memories.”
From golf course to 225-acre public park
Located at 604 Independence Station Road in Independence, Kentucky, the property was once home to Fox Run Golf Course. The course averaged only about 9,000 to 10,000 rounds annually, significantly below the roughly 30,000 rounds generally considered necessary for a financially sustainable 18-hole course.In November 2019, Kenton County transitioned management of its golf courses to a third-party operator. As part of the process, officials recommended closing Fox Run to improve the long-term financial sustainability of the county’s golf operations.After the closure, the county explored potential redevelopment options and hired CBRE to examine possible future uses for the broader golf course property.Officials eventually discovered that a deed restriction applied to much of the 598-acre property, including the county’s other golf courses, Willows and Pioneer. Because the land had originally been acquired using Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars, it was required to remain in recreational use.Rather than leave the former golf course underutilized, the Kenton County Fiscal Court decided to preserve it as public recreational space. In August 2020, the Fiscal Court formally approved converting Fox Run Golf Course into a public park.
Residents can already explore the property
The property is currently available for passive recreation while the larger development moves forward. Residents can hike, walk, fish, cycle, observe wildlife and explore the natural surroundings.The planned park will preserve much of that natural character. County officials expect approximately 70% of the 225-acre site to remain untouched by construction.The park’s design is centered around three distinct ridges – Civic Ridge, Adventure Ridge and Trail Ridge – each offering a different type of experience.
Civic Ridge will focus on families
Civic Ridge is planned as the park’s main gathering and family recreation area.The proposed amenities include improvements to the existing fishing pond, a dog park, an outdoor fitness zone, playground equipment, a shelter house and interactive nature-inspired water features similar to a splash pad.The area will provide spaces where families can gather while remaining connected to the surrounding landscape.
Adventure Ridge will bring thrills
For visitors looking for more active experiences, Adventure Ridge will feature outdoor recreation and adventure facilities.Plans include mountain bike trails, a pump track, a climbing wall, additional climbing structures and a potential Go Ape aerial adventure course.Go Ape is known for elevated obstacle courses, zip lines and treetop experiences. If the attraction is finalized, county officials say it would make the park one of only a select number of locations nationwide to offer the experience.
Trail Ridge will preserve nature
The largest of the three ridges will focus on trails, exploration and access to nature.An extensive trail network will wind through the property, while interactive art installations and nature-based experiences are planned to give visitors opportunities to explore the landscape in new ways.The former fairways will therefore have a very different future from their days as a golf course, with much of the land remaining dedicated to natural surroundings and outdoor recreation.
Years of planning behind the transformation
The vision for the park began taking shape in 2021, when Kenton County used grant funding to hire Human Nature to develop a comprehensive master plan.The planning process involved extensive community engagement and was divided into three stages: awareness, exploration and vision. Residents and stakeholders were invited to provide input on the site’s future and the kinds of amenities they wanted to see.In August 2024, Human Nature was contracted to update the master plan, refine priorities and develop updated cost estimates.J.S. Held was selected in January 2025 as the project’s owner’s representative, while Bayer Becker joined the team later that year to provide design services. In April 2026, Prus Construction was selected as construction manager.The project team now anticipates breaking ground later in 2026.
