BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The city of Bowling Green is getting creative with how its new downtown park should look, letting elementary school students come up with concept designs. 

“Seeing the creative work of these children, the way they see shapes and colors and all different activities, there is a certain sincerity and honesty about it," said Jim Weinberg, Riverfront Park Project marketing director. "That is so great to bring that out to the community.”

Weinberg, who is also an artist, was helping children envision their thoughts on the park and said their drawings could influence how the park looks.

“One student drew a picture of a parking lot, and the reason was (because) he said, ‘Well, we’re going to need parking,'" Weinberg said. "Great idea.”

Students said it’s nice knowing a young and bright mind can have a say in such a big project.

“I’ve always wanted to do this, so today is actually my lucky day," said one student named Aria. 

The Riverfront Park Project will be at the Historic College Street Pedestrian Bridge. It will have an unloading station for boats, kayaking and tubing, as well as a new playground. The total cost be $51 million. 

Brent Childers, director of neighborhood and community services for the city of Bowling Green, said they have been approved for millions of dollars in grant funding to help cover costs.

“Just in federal grant funding, we’re over $4 million," Childers said. "The city has committed another $4.5 to $5 million, so we have funds moving forward."

The city will continue to seek more grant funding as the project undergoes several phases. Phase one of construction will begin in 2025.