Smothers Park Reviews

A must see in Owensboro! Spread out fun for the kids. Great place for couples to walk and enjoy the scenery and fountains!

This is a great park to take ur children. The park has turf on the ground thereby making walking around pleasant. A lot of money went into that park but it's lacking if your past age 12.

Visiting Indiana we decided to stop by owensboro and check out this famous park. Of course because of cold weather there was noone playing or out but was able to enjoy the view of the river. We took some beautiful pictures, I do recommendations to stop here specially if you have little ones.

On this visit we were at the park for a Friday after 5 evening event. Great music and great food trucks.

There is a l large playground at this park that would be great except that it is such a draw that it is incredibly crowded. As far as things for adults to do there is very little other than sitting in direct sunlight (there is no shaded seating) and watch barges go up and down a very polluted water way. During the summer the city hosts "Friday after 5" which could be nice, but it has been over run with kids that just cause trouble.

My husband and I come to Owensboro, Ky. several times a year and this is the first time we have visited the downtown area. What a shame since there is so much more to see in Owensboro. Smothers Park is a wonderful place to walk, picnic, photograph and to enjoy the music, pavilion, and nearby restaurants. There is free on-street parking, a playground for children, lots of benches to simply rest. A beautiful tribute to MIA/POW's of all wars is prominently displayed in the middle of the park. It is a two-side monument. While we were there a huge barge traveled along the Ohio River and we were able to get some great pictures of it and the bridge. The surrounding landscaping is gorgeous and the entire park is immaculately clean and well kept. Lots of activities during the weekend. We will definitely return here and spend more time. This is a MUST TO DO!

We just moved here from Florida and I know most people think Florida is great, all the beaches and parks who would leave. Me that's who someone looking for a small town with amazing things for families to do together that don't break the bank. I have 3 young boys 11,8,and 6. They love the splash park at smothers and the lady day park is priceless, the cost you ask is zero. All the fun you can have with your children for not a penny. They have an amazing snack stand with a great crew also the owensboro police department patrols the park regularly. I can't say enough about this place. We all love it

My husband and I have went downtown on several occasions. The shops, the great places to eat but what the city did to Smothers Park is truly sad. It always looks overgrown and tacky! So sad for a rivertown!

We love the view. My grandaughters had a good time. We will be back again.

I love the area in general.

My child wanted to spend her vacation here instead of going to Holiday World and I was glad to oblige since it was a public park. The park has great security and a police presence. I never worried about my kids as I sat and enjoyed the river walk.

Great place for family fun. By the water and romantic for a stroll with the whole family. Kids play on the slides and you can bring food and have a great time for the whole family.

It's easy to see why this park was ranked as one of the top 10 parks in the World. Even has a water park and swings for the adults right next to the river!!

The park appeals to all ages. The breeze off the river and the boats going by are a peaceful way to pass the afternoon while the kids play.

That is what my 5yo grandson says about Smother's Park. I have to agree. Huge playground, small splashpad. Restrooms and concessions available.

Police were around quite often, not that they were needed. We felt very safe.

If you have small children, it's a must-see.

Gorgeous Riverfront Park
Beautiful Amphitheater
Boardwalk
Swing gliders all along the river walkways
Water fountains & other water features
Incredible kids play area!
Fairy tail inspired
No dirt or mud in the playground area. The playground is set on a foam type matting surface.
Entire park is very clean & tidy
Restrooms are also nice
Go during the day with your kids and I recommend visiting again at night when the area is beautifully lit up fountains and all. I do photography and I realize this area for prom photos and wedding pictures gorgeous backgrounds.
If only every town had a beautiful public area like this bravo Owensboro

This park is right on the waterfront. It's beautiful and clean. Great place to take a stroll after dinner.

I grew up in Owensboro, nice to go back home to visit & take the kids here they love it. Very nice park & lots to do! Friday after 5 is great.

This park has everything you could want. It has great views, easy to access, and wonderful for children. This park is nationally know for a reason. Top notch!

Really nice park that is situated in downtown Owensboro right next to the Ohio River. If you come during the summer months be sure to check out "Friday after 5" when it is going on.

I enjoyed the park. It was clean, modern, and very accommodating. The genre of parkwide music was excellent for me. Maybe not everyone My thanks for the Mayor, city officials and staff for stepping up and giving back to the community. This is a positive example for other cities, towns, and communities to follow

This is a beautiful park on the riverfront! It has a great view of the waterfront, and a beautiful kids playground! Clean restrooms and concession stand. A great investment in Owensboro's future!!

This is our second trip here and we love that it is so well kept! I love being able to rock on the swings watching my kiddos play.

beautiful, clean park for all ages , have music ,ice cream shop , the best place to see the sunset in Owensboro and the best part is free

It's a nice park. The outstanding view of the Ohio River makes it worth going. There is a public bathroom and places to sit and look out for your kids at the play area and also look at the river. Many running clubs gather here early morning for a group run.

This park is fun for all ages! Lots of different activities for everyone. Walking distance to restaurants and ice cream! Usually really packed!!

Beautiful park, up kept beautifully!! I hope to come back when the weather is warmer to be able to enjoy it more!

Spending a night in Owensboro, my wife and I decided to walk down to the Smother's Park. What a nice place! They have lovely fountains, a walking area, lots of bench swings, it is well lit and of course, a nice view of the river. In the background, we could hear a lovely young woman singing up at Fetta's Restaurant. Who ever came up with this idea for a park, did a Great Job. Owensboro should be proud.

Brought our out of town family here and they were very impressed with our park and all of the activities and music during Friday After Five. Glad we could "show off" this beautiful part of Owensboro!

Nice walk overlooking the Ohio river. The playground is great. Very good cushioning under and around the equipment. A water play area also with cushioning. Plenty of benches for walkers to take a break. Also a lot of adult swings facing the river. A lot of scenic water fountains

Lots of things to enjoy here.Supernice playground. Riverfront park. Lots of park benches to sit and watch the boats and barges go down the river.

Owensboro is extremely fortunate to have such a wonderful and safe place for kids to play.I brought my five-year-old great nephew and we spent a couple hours playing I'm just having a lot of fun exploring.

Smother's park is the coolest park we have ever been too, or ever even fathomed. From jungle gyms, to industrial slides, open or closed, high or low, Smother's park has it all! It's located right on the beautiful Owensboro river front. It has an entire padded ground so if kids fall, they bounce back up!

Aside from the seemingly miles of imaginative jungle gym fun, there's a full splash pad located in the heart of the park! It's also always very clean and the best free fun a kid and even an adult can have! Smother's park is the best in the tri-state and maybe in the country! You have to visit it!

Excellent place to take the smaller members of your family. New playground with plenty of activities for the little ones. Also the added benefit of watching the boat traffic on the Ohio River. Parking is easy to come by.

Fun! Huge, fun playground with a cute splashpad. Riverwalk and fountains make for relaxing walk. Watch the waterfall; beautiful!

This park is downtown and has an amazing playground for children. The grounds are well maintained and the view of the "Blue Bridge" and river is amazing. Stop by this park if you are in Owensboro.

The last time my wife was in downtown Owensboro, there was a big hotel with two towers and smoking allowed inside. Because of this, I did not set the bar too high during my first trip here.

The city, though, has really upped its game. Smothers Park is a delightful area to take a stroll with your sweetheart and enjoy an evening. The fountains and walkways are lovely. The Ohio River is not a scenic river and you look upstream at a steel bridge and a power plant (?) but the park itself is really nice.

There are rides in horse drawn carriages available and live music in a small band shell. Go eat at Fetta Specialty Pizza only a block away and then take a nice walk. There is a Cold Stone Creamery nearby, too, if you have a sweet tooth.

We stumbled upon this park and playground quite by accident as we were going to the History Museum. What a great find!! A beautiful setting right on the Ohio River with a nice park area and the most wonderful playground and splash pad we have ever seen! The playground is so well done with ladders, slides, tree houses, bridges, etc. that your child could play here for hours! The splash pad is wonderful as well. And it is free!! If we lived near here, we would do this often. And on our next trip to Holiday World, we'll build in time for this. The City of Owensboro should be proud of this great accomplishment for their city!

It was perfect for letting the kids play, run around, slide and do all the things! We went back a second time to enjoy the splash pad! Highly recommend

Mayor spends 30 million tax dollars to tear out real grass and trees to expand concrete park. Water and playground are excellent, But attracts perverts. They sit in their cars in front of playground and watch kids playing. At night teens come out, No parent supervision, But that how Owensboro rolls. Nice during daytime, but night is sketchy. Use caution.

So wonder to have this gem in Owensboro... kids can run and play on the many structures with slides. Very nice!

Owensboro has done a great job in creating a place to enjoy an afternoon. They have developed a great venue that keeps bringing us back.

This park looks tiny from the street, but it feels so spacious once you get in. The equipment is suitable sized for all kids it is fantastic. The views of the river are exceptional. Love that even on really hot days the breeze off the river makes is bearable to play on the playground and if things get to be too much a quick detour to the splash pad is paradise. The fact that it has a dog park really takes it to another level for us.

One of the best play ground parks in this area. Right on the Ohio River in Owensboro Kentucky . Have plenty of playground equipment both on the ground level and built up to climb. Have restrooms...wi-fi....eats swings..and lot more. One of the best setups I have been too that is free. Even had security people walking the whole area. Again check out their web page for all info. Wish our city was smart enough to do this for us This place does something great for little ones and it's not little scale. A must visit.

Great place to walk or sit and enjoy the scenery. Good music Friday after 5 and food concessions. Great for family, kids or time alone.

Ladders, slides, and bridges, oh my! Fun for adults and children. It's always clean and safe. There are restrooms available and an ice cream shop (currently closed for the winter) across the way.

This is one of the best Owensboro attractions to visit. It is a beautiful place and sits right on the river. Even better in the summer time. Great place to take children also.

From the swings for both kids and adults to the spray park to the massive ramps for climbing and walking up high (which accommodates WHEELCHAIRS!!) to the fountains and views of the river, this award winning park is the place to be!

This was our first visit (3-25-17) and honestly one of the things that has helped my family and I decide to move to Owensboro. The park is gorgeous and clean. We went earlier in the day (about 9am) before Open House at Brescia University and the later (about 6-8pm) in the evening on our way to and from dinner at the Mellow Mushroom. This is a busy park, even in the evening, which we loved. I think it says so many positive things about the community and the safety in Owensboro. We look forward to many more visits in the future.

I visited the park several times during breaks from a conference at the neighboring convention center. I really enjoyed taking a cup of coffee sitting in the porch swings and just watching the river and the people.

For kids clean safe fun activity
For adults free wifi
Facilities available
Entertainment options about or increase with fri after 5!

We went here after dinner, it was a clear night, and the breeze was awesome! Even at night the views are spectacular! The kids had a grand time at the park, playing, and we enjoyed watching them. The ground is squishy LOL, I was a little shocked at that, but it's an awesome feature, so noone young or old gets hurt.

Really pretty place to walk. Visited the last Friday after 5. Good bands and it was beautiful weather. Enjoyed our time there.

Great park with a river view. Pretty fountains and great playgrounds even for teens. Swings line the outside of the park overlooking the River.

This park has it all. A splash pad and huge playground area for kids. Plenty of swings facing the river so you can sit and unwind. Beautiful water features. Concession stand . Plenty of clean, air conditioned restrooms and several areas were you can hear live music for different events. All in the downtown area, right along the riverfront.

My daughter's all have younger children and anytime they are visiting they want to go to the park. One of my daughters stated of all the parks her and my granddaughter goes to ( and it's a lot ), this is by far the best! Owensboro out did themselves on this!

My wife & I were in Owensboro for a recent wedding and spent the night. We saw the reviews for this park and were intrigued. What a great spot for a short walk and the playground rivaled many that you would pay for. Though we were there in the late winter, you could see that on a warm summer or spring night it would be fantastic venue for some food and drinks.

This is an excellent park for children and families, it has great location right on the Ohio River, and the younger children just fall in love with it. My grandchildren never want to leave.

Beautiful park you just have to see to believe! Something for everyone! Spray park! River view! Amazing!

Owensboro is a small prosperous city whose riverfront is brand new. Smothers park has several water features a walking path and stages for music. Post Covid it would be rocking. The Bluegrass Hall of Fame is adjacent to the park. Worth a visit.

The whole downtown area of Owensboro has had a recent transformation into a vibrant hub of shops, restaraunts, and museums recently. Smothers Park is by far the most impressive playground I have ever seen. It has an awesome maze of playgrounds, spray park, swings and slides as well as fountains and a beautiful position over looking the Ohio River. Kids can wear themselves out and there are free concerts at the park on Fridays during the summer.

Pleasant..refreshing! Recently remoderized this park..all Redos to the Ohio river riverfront are spectacular to see

The park is very well maintained. It was a great place for a walk along the river. I saw a groundhog on the banks. There is a brand new playground and plenty of places to rest.

This is a beautiful park. We walked there, sat on the benches and took in the scenery. It’s a kids dream with their great playground. It was so relaxing to sit there for a little while. It’s a must do.

No doubt one of the best playground in the US. Has a small splash water park with great playground for ages up to 12 yrs old.

Beautiful and relaxing environment. Very nice atmosphere and friendly people. The Five after 5 was awesome and without me knowing it upfront I enjoyed the comfort of sitting at a terrace and having a small drink and just chat, that was the first time I experienced that in the US. The most places I was lucky to visit had a faster pace.
Will definitely come back to Owensboro, to walk next impressive river and look in awe at the superbly engineered bridge and the very beautiful surroundings including Newburgh and other nice towns/citys to stroll through!

We dropped my oldest off at a camp with the river park center this morning. Me and my youngest took a stroll by the river. We watched barges, water fountains, and he played for a bit before it got too hot!! Perfect area for a nice walk.

Enjoyed our mid-week excursion to Smothers Park. There was a huge playground with padded flooring, a water fountain near the Veterans memorial, a kids water play feature, plenty of benches scattered throughout, a waterfall leading down to the Ohio River, and a great view of the bridge crossing to Indiana.

The Owensboro waterfront has been nicely designed and built. The water features, walk way, and view are all awesome! The playground is incredible! Great place to walk around and relax!

Smothers is by far the best park I've ever visited, including several in major US and European cities. It feels very safe. The water features are lovely. The playground is phenomenal. I absolutely adore this park and very highly recommend it, especially during events like Friday After Five.

Even though we went without our kids, we would highly recommend. It was so nice and the river front is kid friendly! Will definitely be back with our kids

This park alone is enough reason to stop in Owensboro. We went because it was suggested to us by someone while we were at a much smaller park in Evansville, In. We are so glad we went. My daugther plans to return just for the splashpad and playground area. It is so clean. The landscaping is amazing and the whole area is top notch. We parked a few feet away and it was free parking. There are several restaurants within walking distance.

this is a really awesome place. its a place down on the river front. they have heavy duty swings that face the blue bridge and water. they have a place where bands set up and play music. and there is a park/water park for the kids. took my girl and her kids down there, had a great time. its a really romantic place to take your girl. hope my town follows suit.

We were in Owensboro for business, and had our grandsons along. What a fun place! They loved it! We enjoyed walking along the river as well.

Extraordinary design. Clean, bright, original. Fun-filled. Activities galore. Restful. Peaceful and orderly. Truly a model for redevelopment.

It is overcast today but a lovely view, fantastic walk. Wonderful view, beautiful walk way. A great place for kids.

Beautiful and next to the Ohio River bank, Beautiful water fountain that lites up at nite with all kinds of coloring

This park is beautiful!! It has a wonderful veterans memorial, playground, and of course, a beautiful view of the river.

We really enjoyed having the park right next to our hotel, the Hampton Inn and Suites. There was always something going on, and seemed like a very safe area.

Couldn't believe how nice this park was right on the river. There was something for everyone young & old. Children can play on the play equipment all the while expanding their mind and exploring. While others can enjoy a stroll or just sit and watch the river roll long. There were a few shady locations on a hot sunny day. Within walking distance of historical downtown where restaurants can be accessed.

This park has been rated in the top 10 parks in the country. It is great for toddlers all the way up to middle schoolers. There is plenty to do for adults with the river overlook.

Its very nice park, we just stayed overnight in Owensboro and got to know that there is a beautiful park, we decided to go there in morning, and we never regret with our decision, specially kids can enjoy here. when we reached it was a foggy day, and we barely able to see the bridge near the park. it was a awesome day.

Lived here years ago and while visiting came to see the renovations. Compared to what it was it is beautiful and peaceful. The kids area is full of activities and the splash pad was so tempting. Good to see the area built up with different eating options and more modern lodging. The pergolas are not efficient to offer shade at the swinging seats it becomes unbearable. For younger people who can move freely it is great but for others who have mobility issues and need to stop and rest or sit and admire the beauty of the area it's a challenge.

this is a awesome park, children of all ages will love climbing and running through the walkways in the trees to slides & tunnels, also there is a spray park here , concessions to by snacks & beautiful fountains and walkways on the river, summer time they have free movie's on the weekend & free concerts , its everything you could want in a park & more, it even has a dog park area

This park on the banks of the Ohio River is an absolute delight. It has a wonderful play area for the kids, plenty of walking paths, and even gentle glider/swings on which to sit and relax and watch the world go by. I'v never before been to Owensboro, but this was definitely the highlight of my short stay.

I love what Owensboro did here. Places for entertainment, reflection, enjoy the view. I especially liked the beautiful waterfall concept.

This is a beautiful park! The playground is amazing! The water fountains are beautiful! We had a great time!

Love it, love it, Love it!!!! Best park around. Parents can let kids play all while relaxing by the River front.

We love the park. It is fun for the kids and a nice place to sit in the sun. Great view of the river and close to the River Park Center. Many great restaurants within 2-3 blocks

This park is simply incredible. Located on Owensboro's beautiful riverfront, there's something for everyone down here. My family, including two children between 5 and 7, love to visit this park throughout the summer. There's always something going on, day and night. We love to visit the concession stand, area restaurants, take a stroll along the river, and play on the huge playground. Security is top notch and I've never seen a park that's cleaner than this one. This park is leagues above any others in the Evansville/Owensboro metro area.

Ate at local pizza restaurant and headed to the park. This park has everything. Near local restaurants, shore view of the river, plenty of walking space, plenty of things for kids to do, bathrooms, swings, music etc. enough activities for an entire day. Must visit.

This is a great place to hang out in the evening. Live music on the weekends, porch-type swings that overlook the river, plenty of restaurants near-by, and close to the convention center.

I loved this park. Fantastic. Perfect for young kids. Lots of swings and benches for old folks. Great view of Ohio River.

Well maintained park for the kids with several nearby restaurants. River park center is also near by by live entertainment in the summer months.

One of the nicest river front parks I have ever been too. And I have lived out west in beautiful places.

Great park, but maintenance is lacking. The tree window netting and some of the netting on the bridge needs to be replaced.

The park was beautiful! Nicest waterfront park we've seen and thoroughly enjoyed out time there. Watched the water fountains, looked out over the river with unobstructed views and enjoyed swinging in the cool breeze. Very foot friendly, including me with my walker. Highly recommend it!

We are so glad to live only an hour from this special place. The playground is top notch, love the splash pad and the fountains. Nice breeze off the river, gorgeous at sunset. Beautiful for strolling and grassy areas for playing. Wonderful 4th of July festivities. With plenty of room to spread out it is good for romance and excellent for families. This is a fabulous addition to the community!

Any city any size would be jealous of the park on the waterfront in downtown Owensboro, best use of tax money ever. Fountains, walking paths, swings and one fun kids area, altogether Disney would seem more likely to have this park then a town in Ky, great visit.

This park is new and amazing whether you are with your significant other or spending time with your kids.

Amazing views and quaint restaurants and bars all within walking distance!

Smother's Park is the centerpiece of the Owensboro river front. The playground is world class. The spray park is open in the summer. The paved walking path meanders along the river passed fountains and a water feature going into the river during the summer. I enjoy walking the length of the park passing the Hampton Inn, the Convention Center and the Holiday Inn. The total turn is about a mile and a half. My favorite walk.

We drove over to Owensboro for the afternoon to visit the local winery, and distillery as well as catching lunch downtown. After dining at the Mello Mushroom we decided to walk off our meal down at Smothers Park. It was a beautiful/sunny Saturday and there were a lot of people enjoying the park. Lots of children playing, adults enjoying the swings near the river and many others walking up and down the river. This is a top notch park that the city of Owensboro offers for both its local population as well as visitors to the city.

Drove about an hour from home to visit a friend in Owensboro. We stopped at Smothers Park along the river bank. It has several covered porch type swings along the water's edge. There is a play park for your little ones, bathrooms, and a great view.

Very nice riverfront park that was unexpected! Music various nights, swing benches, playground and more!

Best thing Owensboro did was dress up the riverfront. So much to do and beautiful. It is a fun place to take the kids to play and even have a picnic.

Very attractive and family friendly. An abundance of play areas for children, seating areas for others.

Newly renovated Smothers Park is a tremendous asset to Owensboro's riverfront. Perfect for a stroll or relaxing on the swings facing the Ohio river. Plenty of activities for the kids and a spray park as well. All free to the public.

This is a must do in Owensboro. They have spared no expense and it shows. Water fountains, kids play equipment, green spaces, picnic tables, concert area, benches & swings everywhere. It is about 1/2 mile long and every inch has something to see and do for free!

Relaxing walk through the park, the town invested in this park and definately seems to be working. It seems the park is used by locals and tourist alike. Great for people watching!

Absolutely beautiful area and felt very safe at night. Extremely well lighted and such a pretty area with fountains and sidewalks along the river. Easy walking distance to downtown area from the park.

This is a wonderful place to take your kids or have a romantic walk along the river. I go to meditate and watch the barges go up and down the river.

My husband and I brought our two year old daughter downtown to smothers Park. We had never been before and honestly did not know what to expect. it was an amazing Park the splash pad area for the kids the different levels of the playground for kids of all ages was truly an amazing thing to see!! our daughter had a wonderful time we cannot wait to come back again!!

After a nice meal downtown, we need somewhere to walk it off! We love this excellent park along the Ohio. It has many interesting details and the scenery is great. The kids play zone is first class with great water play areas, slides and imaginative play equipment. One of our favorite things to do it to sit in the swings looking out over the river and watching the sun go down Just beautiful!

I can not say enough good about this park! If you want peace, fun, beautiful sights and sounds or jist a good time with friends, you will find it here! Bathrooms are clean, even though they are near the children's area. Music always feels the air. Friendly, helpful police officers and/or security. Probably my happiest place on earth, I won't mention how many times I have been to let's just say costumed characters and rides, even in the rain!!

This park has something for everyone in the family. What a great investment we made in our own community. I encourage anyone visiting Owensboro needs to stop in and enjoy the park with the beautiful views of the Ohio River.

Very nice park along the Ohio River downtown. Extremely nice play area for little kids with water fountains. Enjoyed the large fountain and scenic view of barges going up and down river. Very clean and felt safe at 8pm at night Lots of families and pets were allowed too. Nice surprise and addition to the trip

One of the best riverfront parks anywhere. Lots of activities, nice walking trail, beautiful water features and nice playground. Lots of live music nearby even during the week.

The kids will love this park, lots of things for them to do. The summer is the best time as they have the water falls and the water spouts for the kids. The concrete trees are unbelievable. During the summer check out the Friday and Saturday night entertainment for one end of the park to the other. A great place for the whole family.

The riverfront is one of the best I've seen! Adjacent to the Ohio river the park at night is well light and has fountains, waterfalls into the river and other water features. A beatuful site on a summer's eve. Music was playing at no charge and the children's playground is outstanding. Has a spray pool to add to the fun. I can imagine their Fridays after Five are fantastic with music, food and drink.

Smothers Park is a must for anyone visiting Owensboro with children - they’ll love the large play area; however, it’s also a great destination for couples, friends, or someone wanting a nice spot to enjoy the sunshine and read a book or relax and people-watch. Lovely fountains, porch-type swings, plenty of restaurants nearby....it’s the heart of Owensboro. If here in summer, check out live music on Friday nights.

This park is very nice and situated right on the Ohio River was a very large splash pad and playground. The expanse is probably close to a half of an acre. It's kind of hard to keep up with small children if you have more than one and are there solo

This is an example of city redevelopment done completely correct. Nice layout. Designed with kids of all ages. Walk the riverfront, take in some music and enjoy the atmosphere .

Adjacent to the Ohio River with lots of benches and swings for relaxing or watching the sunrise or sunset. Kids playground with water fountains. Hampton Inn and Holiday Express adjacent to the park.

My nephew and I ate dinner in this park. It is a wonderful riverfront. Great views of the river. A wonderful children's playground. Looking crossed the Ohio River was very pleasant

This river walk along the shores of the Ohio is down right beautiful. The City of Owensboro did a great job with this project. On a nice day, Smothers Park is packed with families strolling and kids playing. A great place.

Right on the Ohio River this is a great place for solo, couples and family visits! Peaceful view of the river, fountains like crazy (only to look at kids....sorry!) I would recommend this as an afternoon of enjoying the outdoors/river or a great place to stop a stretch if you are just passing through!

If you have children and even if you don't this park is an absolute must visit if you are in Owensboro. The kids will enjoy the one of a kind play area and, if it's warm out, the spray park. Mom and Dad can enjoy the beautiful riverfront, fountains and other scenery.

My 5 granddaughters, ages 8-14, love visiting this park when they come to town.
It has a beautiful view of the Ohio River and is near Riverpark Center and the Bluegrass Museum. T,he huge artificial trees are quite a sight to see.

Wow this place is amazing it has something for everyone. Our son loves the fountains and always enjoys them. My fiancé and me love the swings facing the river or the playgrounds. You need to check it out if your in the area.

This is a great park for kids of all ages. It is also a great place for adults to sit and enjoy the atmosphere by the river. We were really impressed with the diversity of playground type equipment and ways for kids to enjoy themselves. It would be an easy place to play hide-n-seek or chase and also good for smaller children to enjoy some of the equipment. Also the design is very unique and cool, nothing like I have ever seen in a city playground.

We spent a couple of hours here while waiting for my appointment at Kentucky Wesleyan College. It was beautiful, quiet, and clean.

Awesome place to see the fireworks of the forth of July! Highly recommended! Very safe and love music in front of the Hilton hotel.

Beautiful park surrounded by lots of things to do and places to eat. Some larger cities do not have a place downtown as nice as this place. Worth the visit.

Best Riverside Park in the USA! Beautiful Water Works (Fountains and Falls); Awesome children's play area both wet and dry. Very clean and maintained, and superior landscape and seating throughout. Beautiful Sunsets over the Majestic Ohio River!

This park is awesome & it has an amazing playground! I believe any family would have an incredible time here.
We came here to geocache but we also play Pokémon Go & this park was great for both. If only I were 60 years younger, I could’ve had a blast in this playground too!

My wife and I walked through Smothers park after lunch. It is the nicest city park I've ever seen! A fantastic place if you have kids or just want to enjoy the view. The way a river front should be developed.

Great place to walk. One lap is 1.75 miles. Views of the Ohio River are superb. Plenty of seating but little in the shade.

Found no signs directing public to the restrooms and strangely, no water fountains. Luckily for me, my hotel was closeby. There were water features and a great playground for children. Well landscaped and clean.

Parking is restricted and enforced.

We have taken our grandkids here on many occasions. The older children have a ball with all the things to do, but it is limited for toddler age children. It is on the river which makes for a beautiful view. There are “adult” swings facing the river where you can relax and watch boats on the water or enjoy some of the summer concerts. Nice walking trail too. Very nice park in city.

We visited while staying at a nearby hotel. Incredibly nice park for families, neat children's play area, beautiful water features. Serene, peaceful and wonderful tribute for the veterans.

If you haven't seen the Ohio up close, this is a great place for a view. There are plenty of benches to sit on, and a water feature that was turned off because it was November. You can get a good look at Yellow Banks Island and the passing tow boats.

This is a very nice park that follows the Ohio River Path. There are huge play areas for kids, places for concerts, swings to relax and view the river and a man-made water feature that is open part of the year. We got to enjoy a bluegrass concert being played in the park of Friday night. Also just enjoyed walking the park and relaxing in the swings and enjoying the view. It was never overly crowded on the mornings and nights we were there.

Best attraction in Owensboro! Very calming and relaxing! I really enjoy this park and would highly recommend it!!!!

This place is one of those places that either love or hate for different reasons. It was extremely expensive venture for the city and tax payers, environmentalist hate it because they replaced real trees with concrete trees. Search for concrete tree song on YouTube. But all this being said the kids love it.

Incredably designed and interactive for everyone. Has to be one of finest parks in this part of country. My nieces love to come and enjoy (from Lexington)

This park is amazing and all the kids have a great time here. We have people from all over the country come here and see exactly what this park has to offer. It's a great place for the kids to play and have tons of fun while the parents relax by the river and enjoy the scenery.

Love this park! A lot for kids to do from climbing, slides, swings and spray pad. It covers a large area so it doesn't feel really crowded. There are different areas set up for different ages as well.

We've taken our kids here many times. The park itself is super nice, and extremely well maintained. Our real little ones enjoy the splash fountain, and the older kids enjoy the playground, which isn't like your normal park playground. There are many "Playgrounds" that are all connected by bridges, and paths to make one giant playground. There is a separate playground structure for the toddlers. The only problem, which is more of a given is the crowd. Don't expect to have the park to yourself if you go when school is out, or popular times during the summer. As its such a nice park, there are always a lot of people there, but with it being so large, you don't feel like its too bad. Enjoy the view of the mighty Ohio River! Great place to visit in late summer evenings as the sun is setting and the day has cooled off.

The playground here is amazing, and there were lots of families taking advantage of the sunny mining we visited. There are fountains, gliders, and beautiful flower bed also.

Best park ever with lots for kids to do. Also, has a concession stand with snacks. Bring swimsuit for the spray park.

I wish I had my grandchildren along--they would have loved it! There are huge squirrels and birds built into trees. There are fountains to run through and great slides, swings, and activities. What an asset for the city!

Large playground for kids, not a lot of parking but great views and on a nice day it’s a good free activity!

Great park for letting kids play or just for hanging out. There are plenty of local restaurants nearby to get a bite to eat too!

At the end of a short vacation to St. Louis with a toddler, we decided to break up the drive home by stopping by visiting this park. We were so very impressed by the beauty of the park, cleanliness, wide variety of equipment for children of various ages. Safety is important and the whole area is padded. What a great asset for this town and the state of Kentucky. I only regret it is not closer to our home.

Always a great place to visit. Don’t eat at the mellow mushroom tho (overpriced, slow and mediocre pizza). Skip it and just enjoy the amazing riverfront. .

Awesome views of the Ohio River. Very clean and well organized. They have metal swings that you can swing upon and relax upon. Very well maintained and landscaped. Popular place for Prom and wedding photos.

Taking children to this place is magical. My grand daughters birthday party was held here during last summer. The kids ran and climbed and played all within view of adults. A joy to see.

This is a perfect place to social distancing and enjoy what really was above expectations fire works for the forth of July

My husband was working near Owensboro and my children and I traveled with him. I was looking for things to do with the kids while he worked that wouldn't break the bank. I came across this gem on Trip Advisor and it's free! My children (younger up to teenagers) were thrilled when we pulled up. It's a wonderful playground with a small splash pad and a beautiful view of the Ohio river. There are swings to sit and enjoy the view while you watch your children. There are plenty of tables and benches throughout and even a war memorial. The playground is fun for all ages, is beautifully landscaped, and even has the squishy rubber underneath all of the equipment. There is ample room to run and play for all ages and to make it inclusive, there is a handicapped swing. (Which we only saw adults using to take their selfies. :/ ) The only negative was that the playground smelled like urine on the day we were there. (I try not to think about the nasty things people have probably done out there. Some people have to try and ruin everything.) Despite the smell we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and hope to make it back there someday soon. It's around eight hours from where we live, but I have considered driving back up because we liked the park that much. If you have time, especially if you have children, make sure to stop by. No kids? Stop anyway. It's worth the view and there's nothing wrong with being a kid at heart!

Great view of the Ohio River. There are swings to sit on and peacefully watch the river. Also a man made falls and some fountains. Nice park for the kids. On Friday nights in the summer they have a series of concerts

Beautiful park on the river with a new huge playground for the kids to play on and a smal water area for the little ones to run through. The other side of that is beautiful water water areas for sites to see only. Nice to walk & take your dogs for walks. We love going there just us and with the kids too.

Fantastic park that stretches about a half mile along the Ohio River. It has a great playground with fountains, kids climbing areas, and swing gliders overlooking the river. The park was full of families enjoying a wonderful local attraction.

a this is a waterfront park, activity area ,open to everyone. You can walk along the river side , sit and swing watching the boats go on the water. The children's activity area has swings, slides, climbing activities, the area has the soft flexible footing for comfort , to help prevent injuries, There are water features thru out the park, Some are interactive where you can cool off on a hot day. The entire place is well kept, clean and no unsavory types hanging around. There is a consession area . This would be a haven for all . Many sculptures of metal on display.Beautiful place to enjoy the outdoors.

I'm very grateful that our city has invested our tax dollars for such amazing parks such as Smothers Park. It's a great place for children & adults and they offer so many free or cheap activities through the year. The park is just beautiful!

At the moment the water fountain are of the park is closed due to the crested river conditions which I have never seen this high. The playground area is open. Fantastic play area always neat tidy & clean. My grandchildren love it.
When the river level goes back down DO NOT SKIP THIS PLACE. Love it

One of the best Riverside parks I've seen anywhere. Live music, fountians, huge playground, adult swinging benches. The only thing missing was a beer garden.

Great place to relax. Beautiful fountains. Swings for two looking over the river front. Perfect for a stroll or brisk walk. Concession stand. Great playground. The whole family can enjoy.

What's happened on the river front in Owensboro is really amazing -- beautiful landscaping, amazing and elaborate water features, music venues that are active on weekends, jogging paths, just a wonderful community resource. There are restaurants with bars overlooking it. Not to be missed.

Within walking distance of my house so that's where I take my walks...weather permitting...great to see the kids playing in the awesome playground...The fountains are a delight...beautiful display in the winter if it gets cold enough for the water to freeze...very relaxing

There is an awesome play area for kids and great views and walkways for all ages. All of the water features were well done and added to the natural beauty of the river. The park looked like it was the place to be on Friday evenings in the summer.

What a perfect rest stop after a long drive! Great scenery included a view of the Ohio River and old bridge spanning across the river. Very relaxing.

We found a parking deck right by the park (near the Bluegrass Museum). Parking was free on Saturday when we arrived but there was a charge later in the day for those who arrived later. I'm not sure if that was the norm or because of a special event at the part that evening.

I am from Owensboro, but I have lived in Florida for over 10 years now. I come back at least twice a year to visit my old Kentucky home. I have watched this area grow and change along with the grumblings of the residents. I still think it's totally worth whatever was spent on it. It really makes the river a beautiful place to be. The playground is fantastic for kids, especially in the summer with the splash pad. I personally love to sit in a swing and watch the water. Sunsets are beautiful. When the large water feature is running (July-October) it is also fun to swing in front of. The fountains are also fun to watch, and are lit up at night. I feel safe there because it is patrolled by the police 24/7.

Great place for sure!! Made me a little anxious trying to keep up with a 2 and 4 year old so have plenty of help with toddlers. I Highly recommend this place!!

I didn't have my kiddos with me when I visited, but I'd like to bring them to Smothers Park where there's an adorable playground overlooking the Ohio River. The playground features large fake trees and larger-than-life animals (loved the squirrel!) and some lovely artwork.

Restrooms were conveniently located between the playground and the fountains on the other side. The fountains are really pretty, and the landscaping is very nice as well. I enjoyed swinging on the metal porch swing as I relaxed on the riverfront and watched a couple of barges go by. Beautiful afternoon diversion.

Smothers Park is a great place for young and old and is pet friendly. The playground and spray park are the best I have seen. So much fun for the young ones with numerous slides and other equipment to climb, run and jump on. The playground looks like a whimsical forest with oversized animals and flowers sculptured on the equipment and fake trees. Visually very appealing and very safe as the entire playground area is covered with a soft cushiony material. The numerous picnic tables, adult-size swings and bar-high tables offer a great place to enjoy a picnic, to sit and view the barges going up and down the Ohio River, to hear a concert on a Friday evening, to view the beautiful fountains and waterfalls (the waterfalls are built to cascade down the riverbank almost to the river), to read a book or to just enjoy the view. There are also Hotel and other venues for conventions adjacent to the park. What a beautiful place to host a seminar, business meeting or convention. Owensboro you should be very proud of this beautiful park.

We walked around before having dinner at Lure. There was live music and people sitting around enjoying but not too crowded. The playground area has lots of children running around and it looked really big and fun for them.

Owensboro did a very nice job building this river front park. If visiting Owensboro, then this place should be on your to do list.

I think without a doubt the rebuilt Smothers Park is the true heart of Owensboro. From the beautiful river walk along the Ohio, to the amazing playground, to the amphitheater and outstanding fountains, this is truly a showpiece.

Bookended by the Riverpark Center on the East and the new Owensboro Convention Center on the West, there are tons of things to do. You can enjoy artisan coffees at The Creme' , or eat at one of the many downtown restaurants. Even if you just want to take a stroll, this is the place to do it.

Smother's Park needs to be on your list for summer family entertainment. It has playground equipment for all ages. water spray area to play in and walking distance to restaurants.

This beautiful park is in the heart of downtown Owensboro. Walk the trails along the Ohio River, sit and relax while barges go by, or watch the children interact in the outstanding play area.

We have been there several times. Owensboro is working hard to bring people to their town and Smothers Park shoes their commitment. Check out their festivals and event schedule. Hotels are right by the park. Good restaurants and other little parks close by. Great for families. Friday's at five in the summer

Owensboro is proud of the extreme makeover that our downtown riverfront is enjoying under Mayor Ron Payne. Walk, play, watch the sunset. Come downtown & enjoy!

Smothers Park is beautiful! People come to town just to take their children to the park! A definite must do/see when coming to Owensboro!! The proximity to the awesome food downtown and the Bluegrass Museum makes it a total win for visitors with kiddos!

This is an amazing waterfront park. It has a little for everyone. Playground for the kids and swings for the big kids. Can't wait to come back and visit again.

Owensboro must have spent millions transforming thier waterfront into a brand-new, world class riverfront strand, with gardens, band shells, an amazing kids climbing structure, and apparently riverboat landing, although none was there when I was.
It is quite a remarkable project in a county seat, with architecture and theaters and a LOT of marble. So nice I wondered how they funded it. Then I saw the plaque- a subtle, modest bronze set in the walkway: Mitch McConnell Park.

Smothers Park has something for young and old alike. There is a fantastic playground for the kids and swings that face the river for other family members. It is a great place to spend a relaxing day and near downtown so you can easily walk to area dining establishments.

Smother's park was added to Owensboro KY to help bring in more attention to the downtown area. I think it is safe to say that this park has really attracted a lot of attention. It is very clean, modern, and safe for kids. I highly recommend a visit!

We stayed at the Hampton Inn. This was a nice park for 2 older people to walk in. We felt safe. Lots of families around enjoying the park.

This is one of the best maintained park I have ever visited in a city. The walkways are wide and the water fountains are delightful to view. The park has swings facing the Ohio river which are very relaxing. I have been to the Friday after 5 events held in the summer and have enjoyed them all. If you're ever in Owensboro I would highly recommend adding this to visit.

This is a must see. It is a one of a kind park. If you new to the area, especially if you have little ones, check out this park.

We’ve taken our granddaughter to Smothers Park many times. It is one of the best play parks for children I’ve experienced. It was obviously well thought out and planned. The theme seems to be Kentucky’s Nature for Children because many, if not all, Kentucky’s nature symbols are part of the parks playground. The park is overlooking the Ohio River which makes it an even better experience. The swings facing the river for adults and children are wonderful. Come on down to Smothers Park in Owensboro, Kentucky, you won’t be disappointed!

My family and I researched this park as we were stopping on the way to Holiday World. We looked a week before at the website and nothing about it being closed was up. When we arrived on a Saturday we found it to be closed for refurbishment. When I looked online they didn’t announce it would be closed till two days prior to work. This is just really poor communication and you would think individuals would be smart enough to close it during the week and not on a weekend. Really disappointed and wasted $300 on hotel rooms...

A fun place to relax, pray, stroll, take the family, bike ride, enjoy the water, do some photography, read a book, the choices are endless.

This is the best redevelopment of a Riverfront that I've seen. It's activities for the entire family it can be fun it can be romantic and it can be entertaining depending on what's going on for the day and when it's beautiful weather it can be an entire afternoon or evening activity.

This park is very beautiful and enjoyable for people of all ages. Its excellent for walking along the river and enjoying the river activity or simply sitting and reading a book. Goo for children as well, because it has a large playground with all children activities. Owensboro has done an excellent job with their river side development.

A awesome riverfront park. With the best play ground I have ever seen. there was live music at night. Right on the Ohio river.

We moved to Owensboro from FL a few years back while this park was under construction. It is the finest park of its type we have ever seen.
Very family oriented, with things for all ages. Whether friends, kids or grandkids, we make it a point to spend time their as often as possible.
Great playgrounds for all ages; water parks for kids; water shows (fountains, lights), local bands (Friday After 5), great community support; new hotels; restaurants; new convention center; etc. etc. etc.
Right on the Ohio River.
If you are near Owensboro, worth checking out!

Nick & Donna Nichols

We stayed downriver from the park which made it within walking distance. Our 3 girls, twin 1 year olds and an almost 4 year old, had a GREAT time! The park is very well designed and maintained. The walking path to the park is lined with metal swinging benches and fountains and a stepped water feature. The playground equipment is designed to let older and more physical kids appreciate climbing challenges and larger slides, which also helps prevent the little ones from maybe going where they shouldn't. My 3 year old found plenty for her to climb, slide and swing on. The little ones enjoyed swingin and crawling and cruising on the padded astroturf that covers the entire play area. There is also a splashpad area with the same ground covering. Restrooms were close to the play area and clean. There was a concession stand open around the lunch hour with reasonably priced items. There was even a huge pump bottle of SPF 50 sunscreen on the side of the restroom/confessions building. A local explained that they pay higher taxes to help pay for this park so they come often. Definitely a place to take the kids or walk or jog if you're in the area!

Nice, clean, fun park! Lots of stuff for little ones to play on. They also have a water spray park (weather permitting months only). Great views of the Ohio River. They also have a concession stand. Park is within walking distance of lots of downtown shops, stores, and restaurants. Many people also visit the park playing Pokemon Go.

Check it out if your in the area. Great place to let the kiddos run and even have place for pets. I like the concessions and restrooms, very handy.

Not only Smothers Park but all of beautiful downtown Owensboro get my enthusiastic thumbs up. I made an unplanned stop here during a camping trip to SW Indiana and am so glad that now I know about Owensboro. The Ohio River scenic tour is now on my radar, a beautiful and undiscovered part of the Midwest with mild temps and plenty to do.
This showpiece gathering place offers music events and food under normal circumstances; now during lockdown it's mainly a great place for the kids to frolic in the amazing playground while adults stroll and take in the incredible view.

The park is a joy to walk around and unwind from a long day. The great view of the river is terrific. Lots of places for kids to play and the architectural detail and craftsmanship that went into this park is worth the trip for kids and adults alike.

Great place to take your kids,grandkids,or just relax by the river. Very clean and conveniently located.

This park is great, its brand new, it has awesome features for grown ups and kids. Guaranteed to satisfy. Except one thing, your puppy pals can't come.

Smothers park is a very nice park. The children's play area is awesome!! The only problem is, there isn't much separation between the big kids stuff and little kids stuff. So, you end up with 12 year olds plowing over 3-4 year olds quite a bit.

I enjoy sitting on the benches by the water. Ohio river is disgusting but it is what it is.

Nice place for families. Beautiful scenery. Extremely radical kids playground/sprinkler area. There’s a snack shop for refreshments. Public restrooms too!!

This was a great park before the remake was done and is even better now. Strolling by the river side has a nice calming effect with a great view.

This is one of the nicest parks I've ever seen - clean and spacious, awesome children's area, perfect for strolling or just sitting and taking in either the river or the many beautiful fountains. This place is simply amazing. Owensboro should be very proud of this place - obviously they are as it is immaculate and perfectly maintained. Awesome!

This place is simply breathtaking and so well-kept! The playground is immaculate, huge, and wonderful for children. The swings are so fun. All in all, it's a wonderful park to visit!

It's just so peaceful and beautiful. One end is a spectacular playground for kids and the other end is a beautiful place to hang out

We have been twice with our grandchildren and it is a great place for younger children. Outdoor play set that are big and fun! Splash pad to cool off . Lots of seating , music playing at a comfortable level , clean bathrooms and concessions in site. Situated by the river . It's a gem!

This was one of the coolest playground parks I have ever seen. It was nice and clean. It was the kids favorite thing about our recent trip. Super family friendly place to visit! Great job Owensboro!

This is a great place to go for some alone time or a romantic walk, with shops, restaurants, coffee houses all near by. Really relaxing, safe and quite a get away from the routine.

Short walk from the Hampton Inn. Great place to let the kids play! And burn off energy! LOL

Rubberized floor and great for ages 2+

Recently, while attending a KLC Confefence at the Owensboro Convention Center (another source of pride for Owensboro), I had the opportunity to take the Mayor of Central City through the Park - I enjoy taking people to the park for their first time, as it is truly a beautifully constructed and maintained addition to the waterfront. As a resident of Owensboro, I have been there many times and I always enjoy the visit.

Quiet an amazing park downtown. The kids had a blast, 4 kids ages 9-13. There were even bigger kids running around as well. There’s a splash pad. Very detailed park, and the parent can sit on a swing on the riverfront and watch.

The crown jewel of Owensboro's riverfront. Play structures, unique shops, restaurants, and stunning views of the Ohio River and Owensboro's iconic "Blue Bridge". A "must see" for all visitors to our city.

What a great place to just stroll. I really enjoyed the sites as I walked along the rivers edge. If you have kids there is plenty to keep them happly.

Owensboro is small city but really very nice. We visited the museums. Walked in the park. Made a lot of pictures.
Also the Convention Center near this park, how a amazing building.

always a great place to meet friends with kids, so we can visit and they can play and have a great time.
Beautiful view, fun place and always a fun time.

We love this park. It's beautiful, clean, and safe. The police do a great job of being present and keeping this park secure. We have 3 small kids, so I get nervous when I go alone because it is very easy to get separated from my kids in this park. The view is gorgeous.

Spent some time in the wonderful rocking benches, watching the barges and listening to blue grass music. It is a wonderful space and seemed very clean and safe. Definitely recommend it to anyone visiting the area.

Smothers Park is the place to be for children and adults alike. We made sure that children with disabilities would be welcome at this grand park. Swings facing the Ohio river are inviting and comfortable. The Charles Shelton Memorial is here to honor our hometown hero and last known POW/MIA . This park was named #1 in the world.
Come visit us in Owensboro,KY, you will be glad you did!!

My mom and took a nice stroll in Smothers Park while we were in town visiting family over the weekend and we were able to enjoy Friday after 5 which was going on while we were there.

Smothers park is the most desired park here in Owensboro. Lots of play area and sitting area for your child to play and parents to interact or sit and watch them.

This is a FANTASTIC Park. Right on the Ohio River with multiple places for bands to play and kids to romp around.

We visited here during July 4th. Went to this park early and found it to be a very nice park over looking the river. Plenty for the kids to do, lots of swings, things to climb on, and a small water park. There is also a small concession stand to get something cool to drink.

You can tell Owensboro put a lot into this park. The view is great. I was most impressed with the built in tables and chairs. The park is very close to The Bluegrass Museum and otherwise was in a good location. I just stopped in to check it out. My average rating is a direct result of my residing in Cincinnati, we have quite a few excellent riverfront parks in the area.

This park is magnificent. It's more of a boardwalk recreational area than a "park". Very open and spacious. Great for strolling with a beautiful view of the river. Goes on forever. Porch style swings for comfortable relaxing. Lots of fountains and even a waterfall. The children's play ground... Spectacular! Everything looks brand new and meticulously cared for. Lovely Amphitheater, Snack stand and Rest room facilities. I don't know who designed and developed this park but I think they deserve an award! I can't wait to come back!

I live here in Owensboro and for several years I thought th mayor was losing it with his push for this unreal riverfront. I was wrong. So, soooo wrong. This park is amazing. From the timed water features in the fountains to the georgeous lazy dayz kids area featuring 2 stories of fun and a soft bouncy ground, the park us brilliant. I like to grab a seat on the porch swings set up all over the riverfront and watch the barges go by with my son

Beautiful multi-million-dollar park on the Ohio River offers much but lacks access to river below. Be aware that high-powered video cameras monitor and record your every move in this park.

Must go...Very peaceful to sit on the benches and watch the water fountain, watch the boats go by or just walk around the area. They have a nice - CLEAN playground for small children.

I visited on a Saturday and they had live music. There are tons of benches and some swings to sit and enjoy the views of the river. The park also has nice fountains, a concession stand and a play area and splash pad.

Just visited there for the first time ever. Had rained a lot during the day as a cold front moved through but the sun broke out just before sunset and the views were spectacular.

Entire park was beautiful and laid out so well. Lots of places to sit and swings to view the water from. Was very restful.

We later learned that the children's playground is rated as one of the best in the country, and even though we don't have children, we really enjoyed viewing the park and the whimsical touches.

Felt very safe there. Am now recommending this park to everyone I know.

We visited this park after a long-long drive and wanted to let the kids run around before we put them back in our vehicle.

It was a hot-day, and the kids only lasted 15-20 minutes of running around before being too hot and wanting to go back to the vehicle.

The park ground has a soft-spongy like surface to protect against injuries during falls. The play structures seem to all be interconnected across what seems to be a quarter-acre. There is a ground level of interconnected play structures that kids can play on, and also a first story that is interconnected as well. Some of the structures have a third story if I recall correctly.

If we were staying in town a bit longer, we could've had them run through the splash pad to cool off, but logicistically we didn't want to deal with the wet clothes and whatnot (even though that is a very manageable situation).

Miles later the kids were saying they wanted to visit again someday.

Wonderful view and great benches and swings. Wonderful place for children. I went with my 3 yr old grand daughter. Went up in the tree houses. We both totally loved it. Nice view of river and bridge. Will definately go back.

Awesome park with great kids playground area, in downtown Owensboro along the Ohio River waterfront! Great for kids, or a nice stroll for a couple, or bring a lunch to one of the many tables spread throughout. Great views of boats on the river!

I loved the riverwalk and the swings they have along the walk. It is a gorgeous view and watching the tug boats was interesting. If you have small kids you would love their huge playground! It is magical even to an adult, let alone a child. If I did not live so far I would go back with my nieces, they would have a ball.

I stayed at the Hampton Inn which sits immediately on the waterfront. Smothers park provided great sunsets for evening walks after supper. There were lots of families with kids and pets enjoying the park

This park is one of the best we have seen anywhere! On Fridays, the city sponsors 'Friday After Five'. This free event runs until 11 at night and is both kid and adult friendly. There are 6 music stages with a variety of GOOD music types. There are approx 10 food trucks that have: generous portions, wide variety and excellent pricing. You can eat for $10 more or less. The playground and Splashpad are excellent! They spared no expense. There's plenty of room for a lot of kids and adults. This park is the crown jewel of the city. It is flanked by the river and a really nice downtown area. All of it is very walkable. I suggest/recommend the Holiday Inn which is also located adjacent to this area.

It was so pretty downtown area is so nice. Even though we got lost to get the mall.we are coming back there. Soon :) can't wait

There's a bandstand, several water features, large swinging seats, and a cool playground. You get to see the river and you're also walking distance from the cool or quaint specialty shops downtown.

what a nice park. After running the country we figured that the dogs and us needed to stretch our legs and we decided this was a good spot to. A very nice park along the river. If in the area I highly recommend!

The city of Owensboro should be commended on this Park along the Riverfront. It is fantastic! Something for everyone, sitting area, playground, beautiful walkways, gardens, restrooms, concessions, etc. And kept up very clean!!!!! They also have a great FREE Trolly system, our driver was very friendly and helpful!. Can't say enough good things about this whole area! And of course it is helping the whole downtown area! Sure wish other KY town along the Ohio River would take note and do the same!!! Thanks Owensboro - we'll be back!!!

This is an amazing public space for a small Kentucky town. The kids area is excellent. We also heard a small jazz ensemble that sounded professional.

Family had a end of school year party. The location was great. Having the playground & splash pad worked out great!!

I am from Owensboro, but have lived away for 30 years. The redevelopment of Smothers Park and the riverfront are truly amazing. The play area is without parallel, not just for a small city, but for ANY sized city! Even teenagers and young adults enjoy it. If you're in Owensboro, don't miss it!

Oh my goodness the park was amazing in the day and evening. Free concerts and fun stuff for all ages. Beautiful area. The trees on the playground connected with fun trails and fun activities. There was wonderful locations of seating evwrywhere that were swings. The water works were amazing and in places for the kids to play. I enjoyed as much as my niece. I will visit again.

Other than the fact that it took 20-30 minutes to find a place to park, this park is extremely nice. Went on a Friday night. Beautiful scenery. Just nice to sit and swing overlooking the river with someone you love.

The playground and fountains are awesome. My kids loved them. The ground under the equipment is soft which is a plus. My kids had so much fun there!

I will be bringing my wife down on our anniversary. She has got to experience this place for herself!

If you want to look at the Ohio river and have a great time this is it. Smothers Park is a great place to take your whole family. Its pet friendly. It has a great playground and spray park for the young ones. And during the summer it is host to Friday After Five. A music filled time every Friday night until Labor Day.

Our grandkids are from Ohio, and when they come to visit they always want to go to the 'Super Park'. They love it!!
We even go in the winter during Christmas break. we play for hours. Our grand son also likes to watch the barges as they go by. The concession stand is reasonably priced for snacks, with a nice variety. great fun, exercise, and everyone gets a good nights sleep, from playing so hard. Only drawback, kids don't ever want to leave the park.

This park is amazing. Such a relaxing yet fun place. Perfect for the family with people of varying ages. We enjoyed sitting in the swings and overlooking the Ohio River, watching the water elements, as well as the HUGE kids play land. It was so nice and clean. Plenty of parking, free to use, an affordable concession stand, and nice bathrooms. It was so awesome to see it so busy. We can't wait to return when they have live music or other events. The perfect backdrop!

We had 3 families traveling— kids aged from 9-19. They ALL had a blast. Even us adults were playing. This park is just full of places to climb and hide. There is also a splash park but we did not try that out. There was also a concession stand, but it was closed when we arrived.
Should be on your list esp if you have kids.

Attended Friday after Five, first one 2021. Great music, food, and folks. Stroll along the river, or sit a spell in glider swings as music fills the air.

Words really can't express how amazing this park is; so well planned out, the playground has grass turf and soft sponge-like surfaces and a huge play area for different age levels. There are nearby bathrooms and a snack bar, many options for sitting including bench swings, shaded areas, fountains and a water splash area for warmer weather. It offers about as nice a view as one can expect from the Ohio River, and is within walking distance to restaurants and shops. Well done Owensboro!!

Smothers Park is right at the top of my favorite things about Owensboro. It is absolutely beautiful with a state of the art playground for kids, including some pretty incredible slides, (which I may or may not have personally tested). The fountains are so pretty and they shoot up really high, so they are fun for everyone to watch and get splashed by it you get close enough, (which is great to do on a hot day). There are plenty of areas to take leisurely strolls or long walks with friends or pets, and on weekends, there are often other activities, musicians at the staggered stages, street vendors, food trucks, 5ks, weddings, you name it, it happens at Smothers Park. It is located at the end of a very walker-friendly downtown with lots of shops and restaurants which feature indoor and outdoor eating. Several years ago, there was no reason to go downtown and you definitely didn't want to be there at night or on the weekends, now that has changed completely and it an extremely festive gathering place to hang out with old friends or make new ones. So glad that we have this park!

Smothers Park is absolutely delightful. The proximity and view of the Ohio River is wonderful. The playground area earns its reputation as among the best in the country. A must visit.

July 4th visit. Grandkids having a real good time. The park is clean and well laid out. There is your usual con session stand fare. Adult swing that face both the park and the Ohio river.

Beautiful downtown area to walk and enjoy the riverside. There is a great play area for children and swings set up all along the river. The fountains are entertaining and relaxing to watch.

This the one of the best playgrounds I have ever seen. It is something I would not expect in a city as small as Owensboro. The whole riverfront is beautiful.

This park is such a welcoming retreat from the hustle bustle. Beautiful scenery. It is so relaxing and peaceful.

Great park for families to enjoy !!! I personally feel it’s more for families with children than adults.

Just down the street from the Hampton inn. By far the best park we have ever seen! Our kids could have stayed there all day! They have picnic tables, swings, a snack shop, all sorts of neat stuff. People are around all day and evening. Sometimes there are people playing music, very neat. Cold stone and cupcakes shop right across the street. We will definitely be back.

Came to Smothers Park after a long day to take a walk. Really lovely, clean, people were super friendly. At exactly 6, VFW, located adjacent to the park opened its door and a bugler emerged to play taps. Just a lovely and humbling end to a great day.

Owensboro is proud of this park. It is on the banks of the Ohio river. This is where Owensboro was founded. The play park is unbelievable. So much for children to do while the parents sit and watch. There is also a water park, a water fountain that has water that dances to music. A waterfall and music stages for bands. You really have to see it to believe it. Come on down and enjoy the park and get some famous barbecue while your in town.

After having lived in Owensboro 20 years, I can easily say this is the only place worth visiting here if you're from out of town. It feels like the only place people really care about and put an effort into making it look good but they do that quite well. The playground is MASSIVE and even though I'm in my 20's, it's too hard to resist climbing around every time I go. Walking around at night time is a must for couples. The downtown area has a really cool laid back feel to it. One of the prettiest parks from Cleveland to Atlanta.

great area for kids to play, a playground without equal anywhere around. Included is a splash park for kids to cool off and just have a good time. Benches everywhere for resting and just watching the river. concession stand next to playground in main building. during the summer they have entertainment on both ends of the park, bands of all kinds and it's free. not unusual to find old cars on display concession booths for Ice treats , turned my lips blue ha ha. a nice place to stretch your legs and look at the river and builidings and the blue bridge, just lots to entertain you. I go often.

Very nice park for kids to play on. The surface is very nice and very soft and cushioned. There is a slash park too. My kids really enjoyed it. This place is a gem in downtown Owensboro!

We have been here before. This time we stayed near by. Great place to visit for people with kids of all ages! Beautiful scenery!

Smothers Park is a beautiful clean park with a nice water park for the kids; a big playground; swings overlooking the river; and many fountains. Close to food and everything downtown. A definite must do when coming to Owensboro!

Visited here and spent half day, playing and just chilling. Great for kids, but also good place to just sit and watch the kids while you hang out.

This is the place for festivals and free summer concerts for the whole family. Take a picnic and relax and watch the world go by. Let the music take you away to another time and place.

Friday After 5 is awesome. Great idea! All types of actives for families. Great bands. Plenty of security. Very safe! Beautiful view of the Ohio River. Will return soon for a concert at the convention center.

This park is very clean and has a section for kids. Has a concession stand. Has bench swings facing the river for adults (or kids) to just sit, relax and enjoy the view of the Ohio River.

I was not expecting this when I visited Owensboro for work.
We went down to the river to see what they had, and there was this amazing park and walkway on the river. Whoever planned and designed this did an amazing job. Can walk along the river for quite a while. There are swings all along the walk way. Park benches and picnic areas. This is a must see. Wish other cities had parks like these. They have live entertainment on Fridays

This riverfront is just gorgeous, clean, right on the Ohio river. Has great places to sit and relax. If you have kids, the playground is awesome. The Art work along the walk is great. If you have time to visit the art museum, may of the pieces are on exhibit. We walked on a foggy morning and it was wonderful.

Great and romantic...walk around, use their bench swings, free outdoor concerts. Restaurants all around.

This park has an extensive playground that out does any park seen before. It has lots of climbing and sliding opportunities and a water spray area in the summer. It has a snack bar open seasonaly and plenty of table for picnicing. If you are without the kids, come and walk along the river for your daily excercise or sit for a while on one of the swings and watch the barges and boats on the river. This is the best attraction in Owensboro.

Smothers park has made great improvements over the years and is by far the best playground around. It has a huge playground and splash park. Walk down and you can see the fountains and maybe some live music at the right times. We visit everytime we are in town.

We lived in Owensboro in the early 80's and WOW has the riverfront changed! This is a nice park with a great playground and splash area for kids. Friday nights there is free live music and a big party there. Lots of places to eat, drink and shop nearby.

One of the most genuine sounds in the world that that of small children laughing. This park provides so many things to do for both the young and old alike. Kids can run, play, laugh, and meet new friends here, while the older crowd can relax and enjoy the river views on a sunny day. The park also includes a concession stand for those in need of a light snack or a beverage. The city of Owensboro has provided a top notch facility to be enjoyed by both the locals and visitors to the city.

Nice place for walking, relaxing by the river, watching your kids play on the playground, or attending a concert.

Very nice park, lots of area to sit and see the Ohio River from a bench or just stand.. Huge area for the children to play. Great area just to sit and soak up the beauty. The trees are great for pictures. This is a good area just to people watch and some down time/alone time.

We were there for the Friday at 5 event on the waterfront. The whole park is so creative and fun for kids and family plus the soft floor is great for toddlers. All the families were having a wonderful time.

I hope to return with my husband. I loved walking it every night after doing business. Beautiful, fun, and dog friendly, too!

The park is on the Ohio River where the water is pretty to view. There are plenty of benches and swings for all, as well as picnic areas. The children's playground is awesome and even has a water fountain area for children to cool off in the heat. The park can be enjoyed in the day or night due to the design and lighted, dancing fountains.

We have visited Owensboro several times and Smothers Park is always a stop we make. It is right on the riverfront and it is fun for all ages. There is a concession stand and a bathroom and the area is always so clean! There are several restaurants near by like the Mellow Mushroom (which we also love) and a cold stone! You must take your children here to play if you are in the area.

One of the newest parks in daviess county. The park is downtown over looking the river. There is a ton of equipment for the kids. The spraynpark is nice in the summer for young and old. And the bathrooms are clean. There are also concessions close by and lots of places to sit while the little ones play.

This park is just too beautiful. Good for the person or families with kids. Has a lot of place for running around. Nice serene atmosphere overlooking a river. (Can't remember the name now).

This is an attraction that locals and visitors both enjoy. The playground is filled with kids nearly year round. Clean, modern and safe for families. The river view is amazing. If you visit Owensboro, stay at one of the downtown hotels and definitely visit Smothers Park.

We met friends here and had a good time relaxing in the swings. Several tug boats loaded with barges passed by. A band started setting up under the canopy and played rock music, some original and some covers. Very nice place.

This is a very nice well maintained park on the riverfront. There were impressive play grounds for kids, walking path along the river, various art pieces, plenty of benches

This park is amazing for all ages. The river atmosphere makes this place attractive. Let the kids play in the park, as you relax on a swing and take in the breeze. This park is very safe and well lit. There is a police officer who patrols the area. There are a nice set of restrooms. In the summer, you can enjoy a splash park and snack bar. This place is a great place to bring your lunch.

I am so proud that Owensboro has Smothers Park. From one end of the park to the other this is a pleasing experience for the whole family. The Shelton/pow memorial, the playground, swings along the river, the fountains with their water shows and my favorite the waterfall all contribute to a unique experience. Throw in musical performances at the various stages and this is something not many other cities can boast of and it is right here in Owensboro! If you live here and have not been shame on you. If you live in a surrounding county it is worth the drive to see and enjoy.

My husband and I are new our new to Kentucky. On the weekends we (and our boys) like to go exploring. This past weekend we came across Smothers park. It's absolutely beautiful. The river front is gorgeous. The swings are nice too. The playground itself is absolutely awesome and huge. The ground is made out of sponge stuff that helps prevent serious injury if a child falls. It also has different size equipment for different aged kids. Our 3 year old had a blast. We'll be back for sure.

This unique park is awesome for family and friends to visit or if you just want to come alone you can walk around and enjoy the beautiful view or sit in one of the swings and look out over the river it's a fun place to go #1 place for the kids

This park it along the river in Owensboro, Ky. It is a beautiful park with water activities for small children and a wonderfully set up playground for children. It has numerous benches for older folks to sit and enjoy the river views and watch the children.

Just stopped here for a few minutes to enjoy the park swings overlooking the river. Every river front should have these. Looks like a great place for families with kids, with the all the places for kids to run and play including a splash pad.

This is the most wonderful park for kids and adults. Whenever my 5 year old granddaughter visits us from Texas the first thing she wants to do is go to the kids park at Smothers Park. She recently said she likes it better than Disney World! Aside from the area for kids is the most beautiful area overlooking the Ohio River. It is fabulous!

The pride of Owensboro, Kentucky. The riverfront is now a showplace. The young children love the playground and water features and spraypark.