Perry County Park in Hazard Offers Trails, Pools, and Community Events

Tucked along Perry Park Road in Hazard, Perry County Park is the county's largest public recreation area and, by most measures, the busiest. Families use the pool and playground, athletes claim the basketball courts and ball fields, hikers push into the ridgelines, and seniors gather at the on-site center — often on the same afternoon. Few single addresses in Eastern Kentucky pack this much into one property.

What's Inside the Park

The list of amenities at 354 Perry Park Road is genuinely long. The park includes a walking track, skateboard park, basketball courts, five picnic shelters, baseball and softball fields, a stage area for concerts, an outdoor pool, putt-putt golf, tennis courts, a boat ramp providing access to the Kentucky River, a Horse Park, and a playground area. The Hazard/Perry Senior Citizens Center also sits within the park boundaries, making it one of the few recreation areas in the region that formally serves every age group under the same roof — or at least the same tree line.

That breadth is not accidental. Perry County Park functions as a daily hub precisely because it layers passive recreation (the walking track, the picnic shelters, the putt-putt course) on top of competitive facilities (ball fields, tennis courts, the skate park) and connects both to the outdoors through the Kentucky River boat ramp and the trail network above.

Hiking Trails

The park contains over 6 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to very strenuous, making it a legitimate destination for trail runners and day hikers, not just casual walkers. Trail signage within the park points toward routes with names such as Bentucky, Boulder Ridge, and Quadzilla — names that signal the harder end of the difficulty spectrum for at least some sections. The boat ramp area doubles as the North Fork River Trail takeout, meaning the trail network and the river access point are physically connected, giving hikers and paddlers a natural loop option. A dedicated trails work crew maintains the system, though specific mileage breakdowns by trail and current trailhead parking details should be confirmed directly with the park at 606-439-1816 before planning a first visit.

The Outdoor Pool

The Perry County Pool is the park's warm-weather centerpiece. Like the shelters and the stage, the pool can be reserved for special events by calling the park at 606-439-1816. Specific public hours and admission fees were not available at press time — the park's website references a rates and hours page — so calling ahead before a first visit is the practical move, particularly early and late in the swimming season.

Farmer's Market

Every Wednesday and Saturday from May through October, the park hosts a Farmer's Market. That schedule amounts to roughly 50 market days across the growing season, giving residents a reliable twice-weekly source for locally grown produce and goods without leaving the park's grounds. Specific vendor lists and opening times were not confirmed in available sources; calling the park or checking with Hazard Perry County Tourism before a first market visit will save a wasted trip.

Community Events and the Outdoor Stage

The park's outdoor stage hosts concerts and can be reserved for private events, the same way the pool, shelters, and Senior Citizens Cabin can. Groups planning a concert, community gathering, or outdoor performance should call 606-439-1816 to arrange a reservation. The stage and the picnic shelter inventory — five shelters in total — give the park meaningful capacity for large gatherings, school events, reunions, and nonprofit functions that need both covered space and outdoor room.

The Senior Citizens Center

The Hazard/Perry Senior Citizens Center is formally part of the park complex. Sources refer to the facility variously as the Senior Citizens Building and the Senior Citizens Cabin, and it appears on the list of spaces that can be reserved for special events through the main park phone line. Its presence inside the park rather than in a standalone location off-site reflects how Perry County Park was designed: as a shared civic space, not simply a recreational one.

Reserving Park Facilities

Reserving the pool, any of the five shelters, the Senior Citizens Cabin, or the outdoor stage is handled through a single contact point: 606-439-1816. Specific rental fees for Perry County Park facilities were not published in available materials, so anyone planning an event should ask for the current fee schedule when calling. The park's website notes that rates, rules, and hours of operation are available online for those who prefer to review terms before calling.

The Hazard Pavilion: Indoor Recreation Downtown

A few miles from the park, at 617 Broadway Street in downtown Hazard, the Hazard Pavilion rounds out the county's public recreation picture. Built in 1988, it is described as one of the most comprehensive indoor recreation centers in Kentucky. The facility includes a heated 25-meter pool, two tennis courts, three racquetball and handball courts, an aerobics room, a 1/12-mile indoor track, a weight room, a sauna, cardiovascular equipment, a sun-deck and patio, locker rooms, and a party room. The Pavilion also hosts private swimming lessons and yoga classes.

The party room sits adjacent to the indoor pool and sun-deck, and it is available for parties, picnics, and other events in two-hour reservation blocks. Booking the party room gives attendees access to the pool during public pool hours at no additional charge beyond the room fee. For groups that want the pool exclusively, a private pool party — including lifeguard services — runs $200. The party-room rental fee is $75 for groups of 1 to 50 people, with each additional 25 people adding $25 to the total. The Pavilion requires 24-hour notice for all reservations. To book or ask questions, call (606) 436-4200.

Other Parks in Hazard

Perry County Park is the largest, but it is not the only option. The People's Park sits in the heart of downtown Hazard on Main Street, offering a space described as providing "a natural, yet modern feel" to the corridor. In the Lothair section of Hazard, Lothair Park provides a playground, picnic shelters, and open green space for casual recreation. Together, these three parks give residents recreation options across different parts of the city, from the river-adjacent trail system at Perry County Park to the walkable downtown green at People's Park.

Planning a Visit

Perry County Park is located at 354 Perry Park Road, Hazard, KY 41701. For trail access, the Kentucky River boat ramp, pool reservations, shelter bookings, or general information, the park phone is 606-439-1816. For the Hazard Pavilion specifically, the contact number is (606) 436-4200. Given the range of what the park contains — active trails, a competitive skate park, a Horse Park, five shelters, a senior center, river access, and a seasonal market — it rewards more than a single visit.