COVINGTON, Ky. — The City of Covington is moving forward with three park improvement projects, funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The projects, led by the Covington Parks and Recreation Division, focus on enhancing accessibility and visibility across neighborhood parks. 

The three projects include the installation of a new playground at Father Hanses Park, the addition of a permanent restroom building at Barb Cook Park, and updated signage at 10 neighborhood parks throughout the city. 

Father Hanses Park, located in the Lewisburg neighborhood, will receive a new playground to replace aging equipment that has become difficult for younger children to use. The new playground will be designed to be more accessible and enjoyable for children of all ages, helping to create a more welcoming space for families. 

At Barb Cook Park in Latonia, a prefabricated restroom building will be installed, replacing the need for portable restrooms. The addition will provide a more convenient and reliable facility for park visitors and enhance the overall park experience. 

The City will also improve signage at 10 neighborhood parks, addressing a key priority identified in the Parks Master Plan. Many parks currently lack clear identification, making them difficult to locate. The new signage will follow the style of existing park signs while incorporating updated branding that reflects the City’s current identity. 

Among the three projects, the upgrades at Father Hanses Park are especially significant. The park has seen limited use in recent years, and residents have expressed interest in having a more functional and engaging playground. The new equipment is expected to draw more families to the park and encourage increased use of the space. 

“Parks are where families come to relax, play, and spend time together, so it’s important that our spaces reflect what the community actually wants and needs,” Parks and Recreation Manager Greg Stacy said. “These projects are all about improving the experience for residents and making our neighborhood parks more welcoming and usable.” 

Decisions about park improvements each year are guided in part by the City’s Parks Master Plan, which was developed through extensive community outreach to better understand residents’ needs and priorities. In addition to the plan, project selection also considers factors such as urgent maintenance needs, available funding, and new community feedback that may highlight additional opportunities for improvement. 

Construction timelines for the projects will be announced as they are finalized.