A community response to infrastructure change
The Covington Board of Commissioners recently voted to bring temporary basketball courts and a walking path to Kenney Shields Park, a move that comes after the original courts were shuttered to make way for the Brent Spence Corridor Project.
Construction will place the new courts on the site of the former tennis courts adjacent to Goebel Park, and city officials say the installations are expected to remain in place for several years, offering a stop‑gap solution while longer‑term plans evolve.
Funding for the effort includes a $46,875 contract awarded to contractor JK Meurer of Loveland, Ohio, a figure that aligns with the state’s earlier allocation of roughly $75,000 for a temporary court, underscoring a coordinated financial approach.
City staff are working closely with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to prevent future unexpected closures, referencing the Goebel Park Master Plan as a guiding framework for how the new amenities fit into the broader recreational landscape.
Mayor Ron Washington acknowledged that the interstate expansion had surprised many residents, while Brandon Holmes, director of Neighborhood Services, emphasized that the courts will serve the community for the foreseeable future, aiming to restore a sense of continuity.