Library, Parks & Outdoor Spots Near Villa Hills
The closest public library to Carpenter's Trace is the Kenton County Public Library's Erlanger Branch. Villa Hills runs its own city parks (see our Villa Hills guides). This page covers the county-run parks a short drive away, plus a Villa Hills landmark on Amsterdam Road.
Checked against official sources October 7, 2026.
Kenton County Public Library: Erlanger Branch
The Erlanger Branch on Kenton Lands Road is the nearest Kenton County Public Library (KCPL) location to Villa Hills. KCPL also has branches in Covington, Independence and Latonia.
KCPL services include interlibrary loan, notary, passports, citizenship resources, live homework help, a STREAM makerspace with reservable equipment, printing and computers, technology training, Wi-Fi hotspots, meeting rooms, test proctoring/GED, and an Airport Library.
- Upcoming closures per the branch page: closed Friday, Nov. 13, 2026 (staff development day), Nov. 26–27 (Thanksgiving) and Dec. 24–25. It closes early, at 5:00pm, on Dec. 31.
- The Erlanger Branch hosts a Kenton County Big Blue Bin for commingled recycling and cardboard.
- (859) 962-4000 (main); (859) 962-4003 (children’s); (859) 962-4005 (circulation)[email protected]401 Kenton Lands, Erlanger, Kentucky 41018Mon–Thu 9:00AM–9:00PM; Fri 9:00AM–6:00PM; Sat 10:00AM–5:00PM; Sun 1:00PM–5:00PM
Getting a library card
Adults who live in Kenton County, or who hold a card at a SWON partner library, can apply online for a first card. Anyone under 18 must sign up in person at a branch. If you're at the library, any circulation desk can issue a card on the spot.
For an out-of-state card for databases and eMedia, call Circulation at 859-962-4005. Replace lost cards at any KCPL location, and report lost cards or address changes promptly.
Kenton County parks near Villa Hills
Kenton County Parks & Recreation parks are open daily from dawn to dusk. Reservations for shelter houses at Lincoln Ridge, Middleton-Mills, Pioneer and Richardson Road parks open on the first Monday in February, and shelters can be booked from mid-April through mid-October. Fees range from $40 to $90, plus any applicable sales tax, and are non-refundable.
Basketball courts, pickleball, playground and shelter house; Big Blue Bin recycling (commingled and cardboard).
3952 Madison Pike, Covington, KY 41017100 acres with ponds stocked with trout and catfish through the state FINS program, an accessible fishing pier, 4 pickleball courts, sand volleyball, baseball, football, soccer, two playgrounds (one with ADA-accessible surfacing), a FitCore obstacle course, shelter houses and unpaved trails.
859-525-75293415 Mills Road, Covington, KY 41015An approximately 30-acre lake in 183 acres of park space, with a boat ramp (trolling motors only), kayak rentals, fishing, the Doe Run Nature Trail and Bluebird Trail, hiking and remote picnic areas.
859-525-75291501 Bullock Pen Road, Erlanger, KY 4101678 acres with a 24-hole disc golf course, ponds, playgrounds, shelter houses, soccer, baseball, horseshoes and unpaved trails. Hosts the county’s annual star-gazing parties.
859-525-7529420 Independence Station Road, Independence, KY 41051
Coming soon: Kenton's Fox Ridge Park
Kenton County broke ground in September 2026 on Fox Ridge Park in Independence. It will turn the former Fox Run Golf Course into a 225-acre park and combine it with neighboring Lincoln Ridge Park. Plans call for three areas: Discovery Ridge (playground, dog park, fishing pond, water features), Adventure Ridge (mountain bike trails, pump track, a planned Go Ape aerial course) and Nature Ridge (hiking trails). About 70 percent of the former golf course is expected to stay untouched apart from trail improvements.
A Villa Hills landmark: St. Walburg Monastery
On Amsterdam Road, close to Carpenter's Trace, is St. Walburg Monastery, home of the Benedictine Sisters of St. Walburg. It shares the 2500 Amsterdam Road address with Villa Madonna Academy, a Catholic K-12 school rooted in Benedictine tradition. The monastery's website has information on its Benedictine Oblate program.
Benedictine Sisters of St. Walburg Monastery
2500 Amsterdam Road, Villa Hills, Kentucky 41017
On the map
- 1Erlanger Branch Library401 Kenton Lands Rd, Erlanger
- 2Pioneer Park3952 Madison Pike
- 3Middleton-Mills Park3415 Mills Rd
- 4Doe Run Lake Park1501 Bullock Pen Rd
- 5Devou ParkCovington
- Carpenter’s Trace
Frequently asked questions
›What library is closest to Villa Hills, KY?
The Kenton County Public Library Erlanger Branch, 401 Kenton Lands, Erlanger, KY 41018, (859) 962-4000.
Source ↗›What are the Erlanger library hours?
Monday–Thursday 9 AM–9 PM, Friday 9 AM–6 PM, Saturday 10 AM–5 PM and Sunday 1–5 PM.
Source ↗›How do I get a Kenton County library card?
Kenton County adults can apply online for a first card, or get one right away at any circulation desk. Anyone under 18 must sign up in person at a branch.
Source ↗›Can I get a passport at the Kenton County library?
KCPL lists passports among its services. Check the library’s website for which branches offer it and how to book.
Source ↗›Is the Erlanger library open on Thanksgiving?
No. The branch is closed November 26–27, 2026. It is also closed November 13 for staff development and December 24–25.
Source ↗›What county parks are near Villa Hills?
Pioneer Park (3952 Madison Pike), Middleton-Mills Park (3415 Mills Road), Doe Run Lake Park (1501 Bullock Pen Road) and Lincoln Ridge Park (420 Independence Station Road) are all run by Kenton County Parks & Recreation.
Source ↗›Where can I go fishing near Villa Hills?
Middleton-Mills Park has ponds stocked with trout and catfish through the FINS program, plus an accessible fishing pier. Doe Run Lake offers lake fishing, a boat ramp (trolling motors only) and kayak rentals.
Source ↗›Where can I play pickleball near Villa Hills?
Middleton-Mills Park has 4 pickleball courts, and Pioneer Park also has pickleball.
Source ↗›How do I reserve a park shelter in Kenton County?
Book online through the county’s recreation catalog or in person at 420 Independence Station Road. Reservations open the first Monday in February, and fees run $40 to $90.
Source ↗›Is there disc golf near Villa Hills?
Lincoln Ridge Park in Independence has a 24-hole disc golf course.
Source ↗›What is Fox Ridge Park?
A new 225-acre Kenton County park being built on the former Fox Run Golf Course in Independence, joined with Lincoln Ridge Park. It broke ground in September 2026.
Source ↗›What is the monastery on Amsterdam Road in Villa Hills?
St. Walburg Monastery, home of the Benedictine Sisters of St. Walburg, at 2500 Amsterdam Road.
Source ↗