University Drive Park — Elizabethtown, KY
Quick Facts
- Park
- University Drive Park
- Location
- 1527 University Dr, Elizabethtown, KY
- Type
- Neighborhood Park
- Managed By
- E-town Parks & Recreation
- Admission
- Free
- Hours
- Dawn to dusk, daily
Overview
University Drive Park is a neighborhood-focused park located at 1527 University Drive in Elizabethtown, designed primarily for families with children ages five through twelve. Situated in one of the city's busiest residential corridors near Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, this park provides a convenient and well-maintained outdoor play space for the surrounding subdivisions. While smaller in scale than Freeman Lake Park, University Drive Park delivers exactly what neighborhood families need most — a safe, clean, and accessible place for children to play and parents to gather. The park sits within an easy walk or short drive of Foxborough Estates, Nicholas Ridge, and other south-side neighborhoods, making it an everyday amenity for hundreds of households. The Elizabethtown Parks and Recreation Department maintains the grounds and equipment to a high standard, and the park sees consistent use throughout the year, particularly during the warmer months when after-school and weekend play is at its peak. For homebuyers evaluating Elizabethtown's south side, University Drive Park is a practical and appealing neighborhood asset.
Amenities & Facilities
The centerpiece of University Drive Park is its playground, which features age-appropriate equipment designed for children ages five through twelve. The play structure includes slides, climbing elements, monkey bars, and overhead features that challenge and engage school-age children. Swings including both standard and bucket-style options accommodate a range of ages. The playground is set on a maintained safety surface and is enclosed enough to give parents clear sightlines from nearby benches and seating areas. A grassy open area adjacent to the playground provides space for informal games, picnics, and free play. The park includes a paved pathway connecting the parking area to the playground and seating zones, making it stroller-friendly and accessible. Shade trees dot the property, offering natural relief during summer months. The parking area off University Drive has space for a modest number of vehicles and is suitable for the park's neighborhood scale. While University Drive Park does not have the pavilion infrastructure of the city's larger parks, its clean design and focused amenities make it a reliable daily-use destination for nearby families.
Activities & Things to Do
University Drive Park is built for active play. Children ages five through twelve are the primary users, and the playground equipment keeps them engaged with climbing, sliding, and swinging. Parents and caregivers frequently gather at the benches and grassy areas while children play, creating an informal neighborhood social hub during afternoons and weekends. The open green space next to the playground is used for casual activities — kicking a soccer ball, playing tag, practicing cartwheels, and other unstructured outdoor play that children thrive on. Dog walking is common along the park's pathways and the surrounding residential sidewalks, and many residents incorporate the park into their daily walking routes. During the school year, the park sees a wave of activity in the late afternoon as children head outside after school. On weekends, families often bring snacks and spend an hour or two letting children play while parents relax. The park's manageable size and residential setting give it a safe, low-key atmosphere that parents of young children appreciate. It is the kind of park where you know you will see familiar faces from the neighborhood, and where children build friendships through regular, casual outdoor play.
Visiting & Practical Info
University Drive Park is located at 1527 University Drive, within the residential area south of the Ring Road commercial corridor. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk and is free to use. Parking is available in a small lot off University Drive. The park is best suited for families with school-age children looking for a quick, close-to-home outdoor play session rather than a full-day outing. Nearby shopping and restaurants are available along Ring Road and Towne Drive, just a short drive away. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is nearby, contributing to a busy but safe neighborhood environment. For families moving to the south side of Elizabethtown, this park is a reliable everyday resource — the kind of amenity that makes a neighborhood feel like a community.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Explore the Elizabethtown neighborhoods closest to University Drive Park:
Want to live near University Drive Park? Compass and Key Group helps families find the right home in Foxborough Estates, Nicholas Ridge, and other south-side neighborhoods. Austin Kutz and his veteran-owned team offer local expertise that national brokerages simply cannot match. Call (270) 735-3897 today.