Austinburg Park prepares for grand reopening with new upgrades and community activities

The reopening of Austinburg Park in Covington, Kentucky, is set to take place on Saturday, May 3, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at East 15th Street and Eastern Avenue. This event marks the unveiling of various new amenities at the park. Attendees can look forward to appearances by FC Cincinnati’s mascot Gary the Lion, music from DJ Pizza Boy Jaws, free food and drinks, games, giveaways, and activities suitable for all ages.

The developments at Austinburg Park include the installation of new sidewalks, repaving of basketball courts with improved goals and lines, a new driveway and parking area, upgraded playground equipment, a seating zone for the FC Cincinnati soccer mini pitch, a new shelter house, an informational kiosk, a new dog park, pickleball courts, and a landscape redesign featuring new flower beds, raised beds, and added trees.

Mayor Ron Washington highlighted the value of these recreational spaces for community enjoyment. "Recreational spaces like Austinburg Park are a wonderful way for our community to enjoy the outdoors," he stated. He expressed gratitude to the Parks and Recreation team for their dedication in renovating the park and invited families from across the community to enjoy the new amenities.

The reopening ceremony is the finale of a redevelopment initiative that commenced in 2021. At that time, Covington Parks & Recreation staff engaged with the Eastside neighborhood through "vision" events, inviting community input on the park’s redevelopment.

Greg Stacy, the Covington Parks and Recreation Manager, emphasized the critical role of community support. “It’s been a long process, and we truly couldn’t have done it without the support of our community – whether through donations, volunteer efforts, or simply showing up and staying engaged. Their involvement made all the difference.”

Stacy credited FC Cincinnati and Rizzo Bros. with playing an essential role in the project. “We couldn’t have done it without them,” said Stacy. “Their contributions were instrumental in bringing this vision to life.”