Kenton County selected Bayer Becker and Human Nature to lead design work for the new County park in Independence. Together, the firms will collaborate with J.S. Held, the County’s owner’s representative, to transform the park’s master plan into a buildable design.

Once complete, the new park will represent the most significant single investment ever made in Kenton County’s park system, creating a vibrant community hub for recreation, gathering and outdoor exploration.

“Parks are places where communities come together, families make memories and people recharge,” Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann said. “Selecting the right design partners is a critical next step in creating a park that will serve our residents for generations. We look forward to seeing this team bring our vision to life.”

In its most recent budget, Kenton County committed $20 million toward the first phase of the project. 

Spanning 225 acres, the new park will be the largest of Kenton County’s seven parks. Located adjacent to Lincoln Ridge Park in Independence, the property opened for passive recreation in 2020 and has already become a cherished natural space for residents. The forthcoming design will build on that foundation to create a regional destination that balances recreation, community gathering and environmental stewardship.