Mahr Park

provides fun for everyone

WRITER: CALEY SMITH

Mahr Park Arboretum features 2.5 miles of paved walking/biking trails and 40 acres of soft wooded trails for hiking. You will find many benches serving as places to rest and recover along the paved trails. The park also has species identification tags on many trees lining the paved trails for those interested in enjoying an educational walk around the park.

Keep calm and enjoy disc golf at the park’s top-rated courses! The 18-hole disc golf course offers ample hills, water features, trees, and stunning natural features that are sure to delight any seasoned player.

Fishing at Mahr Park Arboretum is the “reel” deal. With seven ponds on the property and a shoreline that borders the 420-acre Lake Pee Wee, you are sure to have a good time. A fishing license is required, but no permit is needed.

If you are looking for outdoor fun, Mahr Park offers kayak, pedal boat, and bike rentals at the Welcome Center. There is also a complimentary handicap-accessible kayak launch at the lake entrance.

The newest addition to the park, which opened to the public in December 2021, is the Nature Play Area. This is a unique space to encourage children of all ages to interact with the environment while playing and exploring all while taking in their surroundings.

The play space was created with all natural elements such as boulders, native plants and tunnels. The play equipment was made using natural materials coming from native Douglas fir trees. Features include a custom log net climber, birds’ nest, log steppers, a giant rope swing, classic see-saw, group spinner, a log beam, custom mounds, custom benches and more. There are cement walkways intertwined throughout the play space so parents can be just as much involved and able to participate alongside their children.

Surrounding the new area are roughly 300 native plants which offer natural sensory elements that children are allowed and encouraged to interact with. These thoughtchosen plants will teach your kids about the different smells, colors, and textures. Natural shade provided by the 22-foot native Burr oaks will keep the space cool in the warmer months.

Once in the Nature Play Area you will also notice the centerpiece statue known as the “Circle of Peace.” This was donated by Dr. Jack and Beverly Hamman. The statue invites all children to interact and take pictures with it, as it represents interaction, respect, compassion, and each person as a vital element to the beautiful circle of life.

“Mahr Park Arboretum is truly a treasure, from the deep rooted history, winding trails through nature, enjoying the water through kayaking or fishing, pristine disc golf courses, Nature Play Area, there is something for everyone,” Ashton Robinson, Mahr Park Arboretum Director. “Nature lets us discover something new each visit to the Arboretum, often times we find ourselves.”

Multiple amenities throughout town provide fun for all ages

WRITER: CALEY SMITH

Upon entering the 265-acre Madisonville City Park, located at 800 McCoy Avenue, you will notice the two lakes surrounding the area, but once you get inside the park, that is where the fun begins.

New this past year are the Grapevine Lake Mountain Biking Trails. There are four state-of-the-art, world-class trails which opened in June 2021. “These are a mountain biker’s dream,” said Matt Sills, Aquatics and Facilities Supervisor for Madisonville City Park.

Other park amenities include a ninehole golf course where you can spend all day playing rounds with family and friends. If the kids are looking to get in on the golf action, there is an 18-hole mini golf course that is perfect for family fun.

The City Park also houses a nine-hole foot golf course, tennis courts, walking trail, a playground, swimming pool, splash pad, walking trails, and of course the big stage for concerts and events that take place all year long.

If you are looking to host a gathering or church service, the amphitheater is open and available for rent, or the clubhouse on the property is perfect for small weddings and parties, and is home to the summer recreational program.

Coming spring 2022 to the park are brand new pickle ball courts for everyone to enjoy. Pickle ball is one of the fastest growing sports nationwide over the past two years. The courts will be located next to the current tennis courts.

The Elmer Kelley Stadium is home to the Madisonville Miners Baseball Club where fans can enjoy games all summer long. On the outer sides of the stadium are beautifully painted murals that depict a timeline of important events that have taken place in Madisonville.

Other parks in town include the Madisonville Skate Park, located at 109 Sugg Street, which boasts a 3,000 square foot area with handrails, a bowl, pipe ramps and other obstacles for skaters of all ages to enjoy.

Cherry Park, located at 851 Bell Drive, features four pickle ball courts that are free for everyone to play on and enjoy.

Dr. Festus Claybon Park,

located at 593 Hopewell Street, includes basketball courts, playground equipment with all-inclusive features, a walking trail, full size soccer and football fields which were finished in 2021, and a splash pad for summertime fun.

Parks are key to any community’s quality of life, and Madisonville is blessed with many.