Smothers Park

Smothers Park sits along the Ohio River in downtown Owensboro, Kentucky, on land that has served as a public gathering place since 1816 — making it the city's oldest park. Renamed after Bill Smothers in 1963 and completely reimagined after a major riverfront renovation that reopened in August 2012, the park spans six city blocks and offers a backdrop that is difficult to replicate: three signature fountains, a cascading waterfall, and unobstructed river views framed by the Owensboro bridge at dusk. The park offers three reservable outdoor areas for weddings, reunions, birthday parties, and private group gatherings. The Overlook, positioned at the foot of Frederica Street, features an illuminated canopy structure and panoramic river views. The Event Lawn occupies a green expanse on the west side near the signature fountain, and the Allen Street Pavilion provides a covered setting directly overlooking the Ohio River. Each area is rented with 12 hours of event time, including setup and cleanup. Managed by Owensboro Parks and Recreation, Smothers Park also includes the Lazy Dayz Children's Playground, recognized in 2015 by Landscape Architect's Network as the top playground in the world — making it equally suited to family celebrations.