Noble Park

About Bob Noble Park

Bob Noble Park is Paducah's premier park with a variety of recreational activities on its 135 acres. The park is located at 2801 Park Ave with entrances on Park Avenue, H.C. Mathis Drive, and Cairo Road. The park is one of the most popular locations for events such as fundraising walks and 5K races, birthday parties, or an afternoon of enjoyment.

Hours

November 1 through March 31, 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. (Note: The inner loop next to the lake closes at 8 p.m., while the outer loop, ballfields, tennis and basketball courts, skatepark, and greenway trail are accessible until park closure at 9 p.m. The Peck Education Trail and the entrance at Cairo Road close at sunset due to limited visibility in those areas.)
April 1 through October 31, 6 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Noble Park History

The park is situated around a 5-acre lake (Lake Gerry B. Montgomery) with a bridge and gazebo, dog parks, fishing piers, a walking path, swimming pool, access to the Greenway Trail, two large playgrounds including a Boundless certified playground, music garden interactive playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, a skatepark, ball fields, amphitheatre, nature trail, rental facilities, and picnic shelters. Robert Cherry Civic Center, the Arts and Crafts Building, and the Anna Baumer Community Center are all located at Noble Park.

The Greenway Trail links Noble Park to Stuart Nelson Park and to McCracken County's Trail. It's a little more than a mile walk on the Greenway Trail to reach Stuart Nelson from Noble Park. Once there, you'll find a disc golf course, more ball fields, and another playground.

Maps

General Noble Park Map

Outer Loop Map | Inner Loop Map

Turnaround Trail Map (Cairo Road Entrance)

Full Noble Park 5K Map

Amenities

Amphitheatre

On the west side of Lake Montgomery is an outdoor theatre for concerts and gatherings with an accessible ramp.

Behind the amphitheatre is a shelter with a small parking lot and access to a nature trail and the Peck Educational Trail (see below).

Anna Baumer Community Center

The Anna Baumer Community Center is small, rustic building available for rental located behind the amphitheater on the northwest corner of the park next to the floodwall levee. The facility offers restrooms, a meeting room, a refrigerator and sink, heat and air conditioning, hot and cold running water, a covered back patio, and outdoor fireplace. There is an open field across from the facility and a nearby Nature Trail. The facility also has a gravel parking lot.

Anna Baumer Community Center

Arts and Crafts Building

The Arts and Crafts Building is next to the baseball field parking lot. This facility which can be rented offers heat and air-conditioning, a refrigerator and microwave, restrooms, and hot and cold running water. It is near the pool, the basketball courts, softball/baseball fields, skatepark, and Greenway Trail. Behind the building is a large, covered pavilion (Shelter 19) with several picnic tables. Although shelter 19 is not considered a part of the rental facility, it may be rented in addition to the Arts & Crafts Building to allow indoor and outdoor activities.

Arts and Crafts Building

Baseball/Softball Fields

Noble Park provides 6 lighted fields with a concession stand area on the west side of the park with access from Park Avenue. A large parking area is next to the fields.

Reserve a Ballfield

Basketball Courts

Four full-size lighted courts are located on the west side of the Noble Park Pool and next to the Arts and Craft Building. The courts were resurfaced in 2022.

Dog Parks

The dog parks are located adjacent to the Anna Baumer Building and Shelter 17 behind the amphitheatre. The dog park has water fountains, fencing with vestibule entries, shelters, lighting, pet waste receptacles, and paved accessible parking areas. Portable restrooms are onsite. The park has two sections based upon the weight of a dog with 35 pounds as the dividing weight.

The grand opening ceremony was held May 14, 2024.

Hours of Operation

Summer Hours | April – October | 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Winter Hours | November – March | 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Dog Park Rules

Owners/handlers are responsible for and must supervise their dogs at all times.
Dogs must remain on leash until inside the enclosure. Owners must keep leash in hand at all times. Leash and remove your dog immediately if you sense problems or if your dog becomes unruly.
Secure gates are you enter and leave the enclosure.
Aggressive dogs are prohibited.
Female dogs in heat are prohibited.
All dogs must be current on vaccinations.
Food is prohibited inside the enclosure.
Owners/handlers must clean up after their dogs. Doggie bags are available at the entrance.
Individuals without dogs are not allowed inside the enclosure.
Smoking and vaping are not permitted.
Children under age 15 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times.
Hours of operation and access to the dog park may be restricted during inclement weather, special events, or as determined by the Parks & Recreation Director.
Immediately report any animal related problems to McCracken County Animal Control by calling 270-448-1595.
Use at your own risk.
All patrons are required to follow facility rules. City of Paducah reserves the right to remove any and all persons who do not adhere to facility rules.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Enjoy highlights from the ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony held May 14, 2024.

Greenway Trail

The accessible Greenway Trail trailhead is next to skatepark and Arts and Crafts Building. Between County Park Road and Noble Park, the trail is gravel. The concrete section of the trail is from Noble Park to the riverfront.

Greenway Trail

Horseshoe Pit

The Ward Thomas Memorial horseshoe pit is a regulation size sand horseshoe pit next to Nature Trail which is behind the amphitheatre.

Lake Gerry B. Montgomery

Lake Gerry B. Montgomery is approximately 5.5 acres in size with a gazebo, bridge, boardwalk, and fishing piers. The lake is stocked with catfish and rainbow trout through the City's partnership with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Fishing in Neighborhoods (FINs) program.

In August 2018, the Paducah Board of Commissioners approved naming the lake after former Mayor Gerry B. Montgomery who served as Mayor from 1988 through 1995. Then mayor, Mayor Brandi Harless said, “Mayor Montgomery is to credit for bringing back Noble Park to the community. She thought it was an asset to the community that needed to be preserved.” Mayor Montgomery also founded the Paducah Ambassadors which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2018. The approved municipal order states, “The City of Paducah along with the Paducah Ambassadors desire to express their gratitude to former Mayor Montgomery for her dedication to the preservation and promotion of our community by formally naming the lake at Bob Noble Park in her honor.” On July 16, 2020, Gerry Montgomery attended a ceremony for the unveiling of the Lake Montgomery sign.

Music Garden

The Music Garden is an interactive playground with instruments designed to withstand the outdoor elements. The playground is on the west side of Lake Montgomery.

This playground is the result of a public-private partnership with fundraising by seven local garden clubs and private donors to purchase the instruments. The City of Paducah installed the instruments and prepared the playground's base. The ribbon cutting was September 21, 2022.

Nature Trail and Peck Education Trail

Nature Trail - The accessible trailhead with parking is on the road to the Anna Baumer Community Center behind the amphitheatre. A shelter and horseshoe pit are next to the trail. Tree species are labelled on the trail which is approximately a quarter mile in length. Several benches are placed along the asphalt trail. The Nature Trail was made possible by a gift from members of the Paducah Garden Club. It was dedicated in 1995 to encourage the love of gardening and to protect the quality of the environment.

Peck Education Trail - In December 2020, the City held a ribbon cutting for the Peck Education Trail which is a half mile in length and ties into the Nature Trail and winds through the wooded area near the Cairo Road park entrance. The Children's Memorial Garden honoring the children killed in the 1995 Oklahoma City Federal Building bombing has been relocated to the Peck Education Trail along with 19 new dogwoods. The Peck Education Trail is funded entirely by the estate of J. Lane Peck through the Community Foundation of West Kentucky.

Orienteering Course

The Noble Park Orienteering Course (NPOC) is made of several markers placed throughout Noble Park. Find them using a compass or GPS device (found on many smart phones) or by looking at the NPOC Map. The starting point is next to the Skatepark.

Orienteering Course

Pickleball Courts

An eight-court pickleball facility is located at Noble Park across from the tennis courts. Amenities include fencing, lighting, shade structures, benches, and sidewalks. In 2023, the City contracted with PPC Sports for the construction of the facility with a ribbon cutting celebration held September 1, 2023.

Noble Park Pickleball Courts Reservation Information

Reservations are available from March 1 – November 15 each year (or next available business day). March 1 is the first day reservations can be made by phone or in person with Paducah Parks & Recreation Office. Courts available for reservation only during park hours. Reservations must be made 72 hours prior to reservation.

Fees:

$10 per hour per court + tax
Daily Fees: $75 per day per court + tax

If pickleball courts are not reserved they are available on first come first serve basis. Tournaments, leagues, and frequent, recurring reservations will require additional approval. These types of reservations may require a use agreement, additional details, special event permit, insurance, and may require additional fees. Standard reservation fees will still apply.

Call 270-444-8508 or visit the Parks & Recreation Office located inside the Robert Cherry Civic Center at 2701 Park Avenue for more information.

Picnic Shelters

Many shelters are first come-first serve; however, some may be reserved for a fee.

Shelter and Facility Reservations

Playgrounds

There are two large playgrounds. One is at at the southern end of the lake near the Park Avenue main entrance. The other playground which is much larger is a certified Boundless Playground. It is located on the east side of the lake.

Be sure to visit the Music Garden, a musical playground with instruments, located on the west side of the lake.

Restrooms

There are three heated facilities in addition to portable restrooms. Restrooms are open daily from approximately 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. The locations are as follows:

Next to ball fields and skatepark
Next to playground on east side of Lake Montgomery
Next to tennis courts

Robert Cherry Civic Center

This facility located at 2701 Park Avenue is dedicated to Robert C. Cherry who served three terms as mayor of Paducah, 1952-1956, 1960-1964, and 1968-1972.

Robert Cherry Civic Center

Skatepark

The skatepark is a concrete park with ramps for skateboarders and bicyclists located on the west side of Noble Park behind the ball fields and next to the entrance to the Greenway Trail. A restroom facility is next to the skatepark in addition to bleachers for spectators. There is no charge to enjoy the skatepark! Helmets are required.

Skatepark

Swimming Pool

The Noble Park Pool includes a spraypad, diving boards, water slides, a concession stand, and picnic area. Swimming lessons are available.

Noble Park Swimming Pool

Tennis Courts

Five full-size and two junior tennis courts are located next to the Robert Cherry Civic Center. The courts are lighted. Bleachers are located outside the fence for spectators. A restroom facility/shelter is located next to the courts.

Note: The tennis courts will be resurfaced during the summer of 2024.

Wacinton

Wacinton, a sculpture located on Park Avenue next to the tennis courts and Robert Cherry Civic Center, was hand-chiseled by Peter "Wolf" Toth from a local 56,000 pound red oak. It honors the Chickasaw Indians who lived and hunted in this area until the Jackson Purchase in 1818. The sculpture was dedicated May 26, 1985. Wacinton means "to have understanding."

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