A reimagining of Atkinson Park, replacing Atkinson Park Pool and construction of additional pickleball courts appear likely to be recommended in the city Parks, Recreation & Trails Master Plan, a consultant told the Henderson City Commission on July 15.
While the plan should be completed by year’s end, it would probably take five to 10 years to implement, project manager Keith Rodenhauser of design firm Brandstetter Carroll Inc. of Lexington said.
Rodenhauser said Henderson has plenty of parks. “You’re doing a great job with the number of features,” he said. “The issue” is the condition of park facilities or whether they provide what people want.
Rodenhauser cited “significant deferred maintenance,” saying most restroom buildings need “major upgrades” while the Atkinson Pool is about 60 years old and is “starting to reach the end of its life.”
Henderson spends only one-fourth as much on capital improvements to its parks as 30 other cities with populations between 10,000 and 40,000 in Kentucky and surrounding states, the consultant reported.
“We’ve been putting Band-Aids on ever since I’ve been here,” Commissioner Rodney Thomas said.
“Our parks system has been weakened over the years” from neglect, Mayor Brad Staton said. “They need to be strengthened.”
“I’d like to see Atkinson Park turn into a showcase park,” he said.
Rodenhauser agreed that Atkinson Park, which has 115 acres and is by far the biggest city park, has great potential, in part because it lies beside the Ohio River.
But Commissioner Kelsey Hargis said there are so many trees along the riverbank that the river can be hard to see there.
“Our parks do a good job serving kids 10 and under,” Staton said. “After that,” not so much.
He said Atkinson could perhaps feature a zip line or a high-ropes course along with “better river views. We have the land there.”
“That’s what we’re thinking,” Rodenhauser said. “Atkinson is a key part of it. It’s a great park. It’s just underutilized.”
The 364 acres of city parkland and cemeteries is about twice the average acreage per capita for comparably sized cities in the region, he said.
“You don’t need more larger parks,” Rodenhauser said.
Considerable discussion revolved around the future of Atkinson Pool, which Rodenhauser said needs replacement or major repairs.
“We have an outdoor pool that we use only two months a year — from Memorial Day until August,” Mayor Brad Staton said. “I like the idea of an indoor/outdoor pool” that can be used longer.
And since Rodenhauser said seniors visiting The Gathering Place don’t seem to get connected with surrounding Atkinson Park, Staton said the current pool site “may be better suited for activities for seniors.”
Commissioner Robert Pruitt lamented that the city no longer has swimming pools with easy access for people in the East End, like what the long-gone Pope and Handy pools once provided.
“Most communities (of Henderson’s size) have just one pool,” Rodenhauser replied. “Most that have multiple pools are consolidating” to reduce maintenance costs or in favor of a single, larger pool with more features.
Pruitt took solace that at least the city plans to install a splash pad at Anthony Brooks Park on Madison Street.
Meanwhile, access for people with disabilities is needed in most parks, according to the consultant. There is limited indoor municipal recreational space (“The Kennedy Center is pretty small,” Rodenhauser said). There’s also limited city-sponsored recreational programming and events.
In an online survey, 66% of participants here said festivals, fairs or community events are the most important recreational programs, nearly twice as much as any other category.
And while Henderson boasts about twice as many pickleball courts as comparable cities, more courts was the No. 1 feature requested by 305 people interviewed in person, followed by splash pads.
“I’ve been doing this for 11 years. Pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport that entire time,” Rodenhauser said.
His firm began its work here in March, conducting an online survey, in-person interviews at festivals, meetings with dozens of stakeholder groups and meeting with a local steering committee.
Assistant City Manager Buzzy Newman said the consultants are providing “a fresh set of eyes. It’s something we have not had for a long time.”
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The master plan update was presented just hours after new Parks & Recreation Director Thomas Kenney — who could be largely responsible for carrying out whatever the city commission approves in the master plan — was introduced to local officials and the public at a reception.
“He’s hit the ground running,” Newman told the commission about Kenney, who started work this week. “I don’t even think he’s been to his office” as he meets with community partners.
“I know where it is,” joked Kenney, who said he and his wife are moving here from Texas to be closer to family in the region.
