Vine Grove has productive year, looks to future | Local News

The city of Vine Grove has seen a year of growth and challenges.

Vine Grove Mayor Pam Ogden said despite the setbacks created by the COVID-19 pandemic and recent inflation, she said 2022 was relatively productive.

“I think we’re all playing catch up. We’re all trying to get back to where we expected to be years ago,” Ogden said.

The city saw the first summer blast concert with the band Pure Prairie League. Ogden said this is an event that will continue annually. This performance was at the newly built up amphitheater at Optimist Park.

“We took the existing amphitheater that we have now and we have definitely improved it. It’s a lot bigger, it’s a lot more modern,” Ogden said.

Ogden said she has tried her best to have events this year that are outdoors, and is hoping that even more people can participate in them next year.

The city also did some face-lifting to the city hall building and the gazebo outside of it. They have made improvements to Optimist Park’s bathrooms as well.

Next year, Ogden said she’s hoping that they’ll also have showers added to the bathrooms so the RV park there will be fully operational.

Vine Grove implemented updated storm and water projects at the city for the first time, Ogden said.

Downtown Vine Grove was shut down to alleviate long-standing drainage issues under the street and buildings. However, these were done relatively quickly, and the project finished about two months early, she said.

At the park, Ogden said they were hoping this year to open the splash park in August. Because of construction delays, she said they’re hoping to open it by Memorial Day weekend.

“To make things work, we definitely had to think out of the box,” she said.

The work and money that is put into the splash pad is entirely volunteer based, with time being contributed by the Ritchie family. Ogden also said, except for the chief, the fire department is entirely volunteers.

Ogden said she’s looking forward to revitalizing the downtown area, which is from the Valero gas station to the Brandenburg Telephone Co., through the Kentucky League of Cities program. She said that First Fridays will be returning next year as well.

Another goal for Ogden next year is to coordinate with Radcliff to improve the conditions at Rose Creek Drive, which have had issues with erosion for several years.

Ogden said Vine Grove continues to grow. She said there are five new housing areas being developed, with one of them at around 150 houses.

“We have definitely seen growth going on in Vine Grove,” she said.

A new restaurant also recently has opened in Vine Grove. Two other restaurants are set to open downtown, and also a wedding and events venue. Ogden said she encourages residents to shop locally.

“They need our support more than ever,” she said.

Another future plan is creating signs on Ky. 313 to indicate clearly when someone has entered or is leaving Vine Grove, to be sure that those driving through know where they are.

Ultimately, Ogden gives credit to the fire department, police department, city workers and public works employees who have had to go through their own challenges in improving the city.

“Just their passion and how much they love their job is crazy to watch,” Ogden said.

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