Louis Ben Skall Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Louis Ben Skall Park is a 50-acre park located in the heart of Owensboro, Kentucky.


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Summary

It is named after a local businessman and philanthropist who donated the land to the city. The park offers a variety of outdoor activities for visitors of all ages.

One of the main attractions of Louis Ben Skall Park is its large lake, which is stocked with fish and available for boating and kayaking. The park also has several walking trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds for children. In addition, there are sports facilities for basketball, volleyball, and tennis.

Another point of interest is the Owensboro Museum of Science and History, which is located within the park. The museum has a range of exhibits, including a planetarium, a coal mine, and a Native American village.

Louis Ben Skall Park is also home to the Owensboro Regional Farmers' Market, which is open from May to October. Visitors can purchase fresh produce, baked goods, and handmade crafts from local vendors.

Interesting facts about the park include its history as a former landfill site that was transformed into a beautiful green space. The park also features a butterfly garden, where visitors can observe various species of butterflies and learn about their life cycle.

The best time to visit Louis Ben Skall Park is during the spring and summer months, when the weather is mild and the park is in full bloom. However, the park is open year-round and offers activities for visitors in all seasons.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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