A 225-acre former golf course in Independence, Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, is being turned into a new county park built around fishing, playgrounds, mountain biking and miles of trails. Kenton County officials revealed the park’s name and design vision during a Tuesday Fiscal Court meeting: Kenton’s Fox Ridge Park.
The park won’t be ready for a while. Construction starts this month, and officials expect the site to reopen in late summer 2028. But the plans give Cincinnati-area families a look at what’s coming to one of the region’s largest new greenspaces.
From Golf Course to Community Park
The property was previously Fox Run Golf Course, which closed in 2019. The new name nods to that history while pointing to what’s ahead: “ridge” refers to the site’s three distinct ridges, which will each anchor a different part of the park.
“Fox Ridge tells the story of where this property has been and where it’s going,” Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann said in a county news release. “We’re honoring the history of Fox Run while embracing the natural beauty of this property and creating something that will serve Kenton County families for generations to come.”
The project team includes owner’s representative J.S. Held, design firms Bayer Becker and Human Nature, and construction firm Prus Construction.
What Families Will Find
Discovery Ridge
Described as the park’s primary gathering area and family destination, Discovery Ridge is planned to include an improved fishing pond, a dog park, an outdoor fitness zone, playground equipment, shelter houses and restrooms, interactive nature-inspired water features, and treetop experiences.
Adventure Ridge
This section is built around active recreation: mountain bike trails, a pump track, a climbing wall, additional climbing structures, and a four-season pavilion with restrooms. County officials also said a Go Ape aerial adventure course, with elevated obstacles and zip lines, is planned but not yet finalized. If it goes through, Fox Ridge would become one of a small number of parks nationwide with a Go Ape course.
Nature Ridge
The final ridge focuses on trail access and exploration, with an extensive trail network and interactive art installations woven through the natural landscape.
Officials said about 70% of the site’s 225 acres will stay untouched by construction outside of trail improvements.
A Bigger Park Than It Looks
Fox Ridge Park will eventually combine the former golf course property with the neighboring 78-acre Lincoln Ridge Park, which will take on the Fox Ridge branding. Together, the two properties will form the second-largest county-owned park in Northern Kentucky.
County officials have pointed to the project as part of a broader push to address a shortage of public greenspace in Kenton County compared with neighboring counties.
Closed Now, Open in 2028
Fox Ridge Park closes to the public for passive recreation on Monday, Sept. 14, as Prus Construction begins work on-site. The county says the closure is necessary for public and worker safety during construction and that the site is expected to remain closed through the project.
A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 21, at 9:30 a.m.
Families who want a playground fix in the meantime have other options nearby; see our guide to the best playgrounds in Cincinnati for spots that are open now.
Plan Ahead
- Address: 604 Independence Station Road, Independence, KY
- Current status: Closed to the public starting Sept. 14, 2026, for construction
- Anticipated reopening: Late summer 2028
- Groundbreaking ceremony: Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, 9:30 a.m.
- Official info: Kenton County news release
