The Whimsical Playground In Kentucky That's Straight Out Of A Storybook
By Rachel Shulhafer|Published November 14, 2016
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Rachel Shulhafer
Author
I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. I have lived elsewhere twice, but keep coming back. I'm a video editor and freelance writer who enjoys watching people wearing University of Louisville uniforms excel at sports, scaling the faces of large rocks, and hanging out with my border collie/laborador/cattle dog mutt thingy that I have.
Located right along the Ohio River in downtown Owensboro, Kentucky is a six-block retreat known as Smothers Park. Within the Park is the Lazy Dayz Children’s Playground and Spray Park. This whimsical playground has won numerous awards and is widely considered to be one of the best parks in the country.
Where Smothers Park now stands used to be the site of the home of Bill Smothers, who made the first permanent settlement at Owensboro, which used to be known as Yellow Banks, in 1797.
The playground at Smothers Park is called Lazy Dayz Children's Playground, and in 2015 it was named the best playground in the world by the Landscape Architects Network. It is completely handicap-accessible.
Smothers Park may have an awesome playground that kids love, but adults can have a fun time as well. Enjoy the views of the Ohio River from the riverfront promenade. There are swinging benches you can take breaks on as well.