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Third District Congressman John Yarmuth, Metro Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton and others were on hand Saturday as Louisville Parks and Recreation unveiled a new bicycle pump track in Shawnee Park as part of the West Louisville Appreciation Day festival.
“This pump track is another exciting way for young people in West Louisville and throughout our city to experience the outdoors and have fun in one of the many award-winning parks right here in our community. It was an honor to join Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton and so many West Louisville residents as we cut the ribbon on this great new addition to Shawnee Park,” Congressman Yarmuth said.
The new pump track was funded with assistance from the Aetna Foundation and built by 12 youths working over the summer who participated in Mayor Greg Fischer’s Summerworks Program and the Louisville ECHO (Louisville is Engaging Children Outdoors) program.
The project has benefitted by support from the National Park Service who provided planning assistance and U.S. Forest Service who has providing funding support for Louisville ECHO.
It’s a feature of the West Louisville Outdoor Recreation Initiative (WLORI), which began nearly a decade ago, and, under which, plans for a new Outdoor Learning Center in Shawnee Park were released last week. Those plans can be viewed on Louisville Parks and Recreation’s website, bestparksever.com.
A pump track is a type of off-road terrain for cycle sport consisting of a circuit of banked turns and features designed to be ridden completely by riders “pumping” – creating momentum by up and down body movements.
The plans were also displayed at an information booth set up by staff from Jefferson Memorial Forest and Louisville Parks and Recreation’s Natural Areas Division on Saturday.
Other components of WLORI include a new boat ramp in Shawnee Park (construction will take place in 2019) and the proposed restoration of the pond in nearby Chickasaw Park for better fishing access.
“Where a person lives has a profound impact on how they live – particularly when it comes to their health,” said Jonathan Copley CEO of Aetna Better Health of Kentucky. “The West Louisville Outdoor Recreation Initiative is an outstanding example of how important progress can be made when communities work together to look at the biggest issues facing their neighborhoods and develop healthy, home-grown solutions. We are pleased to be a contributor to today’s unveiling.”
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
President David James (D-6) is calling for volunteers to join with the Olmsted Parks Conservancy to help do some community cleanup work at Victory Park on Saturday, July 28th.
“Over the last few years, we have seen a wonderful transformation of Victory Park into a great park for the neighborhood. My office is encouraging everyone to come out and help us maintain the beauty of this nice community park,” says James.
The President and the Olmstead Parks Conservancy will host a volunteer clean up event on Saturday beginning at 10:00am.
Volunteers will do some beautification efforts with landscaping and clean up including painting around the Lodge of the park. Gloves and tools will be provided and volunteers will also be treated to lunch after the cleanup.
“This is a fun event and I would call on everyone who has seen the changes we have made in Victory Park to come and join to keep this park a nice place for everyone to enjoy,” says President James.
If there are volunteers who would like to learn more about this effort, they can go online to www.Olmstedparks.org to register. You can also contact, President James office at 574-1106 for more information.
The goal of “Clearing The Air” is to give the public an inside look at the APCD, everything from the science of air pollution to the laws and regulations that protect our health from harmful air.
“We’re excited to share the District’s work in a setting that will encourage dialogue and learning,” said Michelle King, APCD Director of Program Planning. “We can learn more about our community’s questions and concerns, while providing an opportunity for person-to-person conversations with individuals who want to know more about Louisville’s air quality.”
Although the smoggy, polluted skies of the 1970s are a distant memory, Louisville still must work to meet federal air quality standards. As a major industrial and logistics hub located in a heavily populated river valley, Louisville is challenged to control air pollution while maintaining a robust local economy.
“Air quality is a very important topic in Louisville that affects every community,” said APCD Environmental Coordinator Torend Collins, who is overseeing the workshop series. “These workshops are a great way to learn more about APCD and how we, as members of the community, can continue to improve Louisville’s air.”
“Clearing The Air” will consist of seven free workshops, all to be held at the Louisville Free Public Library, 301 York St.
• July 16: APCD 101/Louisville’s Air Quality
• July 30: Air Quality & Health/Reducing My Pollution Impact
• Aug. 13: Odors: Reporting and Responding
• Aug. 27: The APCD Regulatory Process
• Sept. 10: How We Monitor Air Quality
• Sept. 22: Technical Workshop *
• Sept. 24: The STAR Program/Environmental Justice
The workshops will be 5:30-7 p.m., and they are free and open to the public.
(*Exception: The Technical Workshop will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m.)
“Working with our partners in the community and the Environmental Protection Agency, we hope to provide information and training to further empower residents with resources that will help improve our health and our understanding of the successes and challenges that make up the story of Louisville’s air – past, present, and future,” King said.
For updates, go to www.louisvilleky.gov/APCD or call (502) 574-6000.
The Louisville Farmers Market Association (LFMA) has released its annual “Local Food Guide.” The Guide maps out the city’s farmers markets, as well as New Roots’ Fresh Stop Markets. It highlights each market’s hours of operation, as well as methods of payment, including those that accept Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and SNAP benefits. Several of the markets have opted to provide a “double dollars” program for shoppers who use SNAP and Senior benefits. Every dollar of SNAP or Senior benefits will buy two dollars’ worth of farm fresh healthy food at those markets.
“Farmers Markets are an important way to get fresh fruits and vegetables to our neighborhoods, particularly any areas of our city that may not have ready access to fresh produce,” said Dr. Sarah Moyer, director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness and Chief Health Strategist. “They also are a great opportunity for our local and regional farmers and entrepreneurs to support their operations. They help our community thrive.”
Louisville has added five new farmers markets this year, for a total of 21. New markets are:
Fourth St. Live, 440 4th St.
Eastwood Village, 16300 Eastwood Cut Off Road.
Belknap, UofL Belknap Campus Red Barn.
Prospect Area, New Goshen Presbyterian Church, 12900 W. Hwy 42.
Middletown, First Baptist Church, 11721 Main St.
The 2018 Local Food Guide is available on-line at https://bit.ly/1RdDIT7.
CycLOUvia, the popular event showcasing alternative transportation, is returning to Frankfort Avenue for the fifth time on Sunday, June 24, Mayor Greg Fischer announced. Frankfort Avenue from Pope Street to Stilz Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic from 2-6 p.m. Police will facilitate a motor crossing at Ewing Avenue. Many businesses along the corridor will be open and engaging the street with specials for the event.
“On a gorgeous Louisville summer day, CycLOUvia is a great event to get outside and spend time with friends and family in the street on your bikes,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “Join us on Frankfort Avenue and don’t forget to support the thriving small businesses while you are there.”
CycLOUvia is designed to encourage more communities to close streets to cars and open them to people. The return to Frankfort Avenue marks the thirteenth CycLOUvia event, with previous events being held on Bardstown Road, West Broadway, and Three Points (Germantown, Schnitzelburg and Shelby Park).
Commercial establishments with frontage along the Frankfort Avenue corridor are encouraged to open their businesses during event hours and engage participants to create an atmosphere that is uniquely Louisville.
CycLOUvia is Louisville’s opportunity to experience transportation in a unique atmosphere, by walking, cycling, skateboarding, or dancing in the street.
Streets account for a significant amount of public land in all cities. CycLOUvia repurposes these public spaces by temporarily replacing traditional vehicular traffic with pedestrian traffic. During CycLOUvia, streets become paved parks where people of all ages, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds can come to improve their mental, physical, and emotional health.
Since 2012, CycLOUvia events have attracted tens of thousands of people to various neighborhoods across the city. In addition to being part of the Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Movement, CycLOUvia promotes healthy lifestyles, alternative transportation, bike/pedestrian safety and economic development.
For more information, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/advanced-planning/cyclouvia
A spectacular day of Bluegrass and Americana music, food and beverages, craft vendors, and youth activities in a scenic environment awaits those who visit Jefferson Memorial Forest’s fourteenth annual Forest Fest on Saturday, May 19.
Forest Fest has been known for providing a great variety of bluegrass music; this year’s event expands on that tradition with five musical acts in the lineup. The music starts at 11:30 a.m. in the forest’s Horine Section, 12408 Holsclaw Hill Road.
The lineup starts off with the Local Honeys, followed by Louisville’s own Hog Operation. Kentucky native band Whiskey Bent Valley Boys play next. NPR acclaimed artist Nora Jane Struthers takes the stage next and 2015 IBMA Momentum Award winning band the Lonely Heart Strings round out the evening.
The event is free, but parking is $10 per carload. Bring a blanket or chair. Food, wine, and beer will be available for purchase along with items from various crafters. Outside alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome, and their owners are asked to be considerate of other patrons.
The event is made possible through the financial support of presenting sponsors, Metro Councilpersons Vicki Aubrey Welch (District 13) and Cindi Fowler (District 14), in whose districts Jefferson Memorial Forest is located, and David Yates (District 25) as well as assistance from Councilpersons Rick Blackwell (District 12), Marianne Butler (District 15), James Peden (District 23), Madonna Flood (District 24), Jessica Green (District 1), Barbara Shanklin (District 2), Bill Hollander (District 9), Pat Mulvihill (District 10), Glen Stuckel (District 17), Vitalis Lanshima (District 21), Robin Engel (District 22), Barbara Sexton Smith (District 4), Cheri Bryant Hamilton (District 5), Brandon Coan (District 8), and Stuart Benson (District 20). Also sponsoring the event are: Aetna, WFPK Radio Louisville, and 502 Yoga.
A variety of entertainment options for children, including live nature demonstrations and a climbing wall, will take place during the day, beginning at noon and ending at 5 p.m. Workshops by performers will begin at 1 p.m. Artists from across the region will demonstrate their skills as part of a craft fair, and food and beverages from Comfy Cow Ice Cream, Shack in the Back Barbeque, Lil Cheezers food truck, Brooks Hill Winery, Heine Brothers Coffee, Mr. G’s Kettle Corn, and local craft beer will be available for sale.
Forest Fest Band Schedule
- 11:30 a.m. Local Honeys
- 12:45 p.m. Hog Operation
- 2:00 p.m. Whisky Bent Valley Boys
- 3:50 p.m. Nora Jane Struthers
- 5:30 p.m. Lonely Heart Strings
Forest Fest Schedule of Activities
- 10:30 a.m. Booths open to the public; food areas open; Forest Nature booth opens for children
- 11:30 a.m. Music begins; Children’s activities begin (until 5 p.m.)
- 1-1:45 p.m. Band Workshop: Local Honeys Children’s songwriting
- 2-2:45 p.m. Band Workshop: Hog Operation
- 2:45 -3:30 p.m. Band Workshop: Nora Jane Struthers
- 4:30-5 p.m. Band Workshop: Lonely Heart strings
- 7 p.m. Forest Fest concludes
Historic Locust Grove will hold the 23rd Annual Gardeners’ Fair Friday, May 11, Saturday, May 12, and Sunday, May 13, 2018 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm daily. This hallmark event will feature over 40 vendors and demonstrators showcasing annuals, perennials, herbs, native plants, garden art, and garden tools.
The Gardeners’ Fair connects Locust Grove’s history as a farm with 21st century gardens, providing an opportunity for guests to learn more about caring for their own green spaces. Gardeners’ Fair celebrates sustainable gardening, green living, heirloom plants, organic gardening, and the good earth that creates beautiful outdoor environments. Vendors will be available to offer gardening tips and tricks for experienced green thumbs or those who are just starting their own gardens. Plants will be available for all garden and budget sizes. In addition to plants and flowers, demonstrators including a basket maker, fiber artist, and blacksmith will demonstrate historic trades that would have been part of daily life on an early 19th century farm like Locust Grove. The ever-popular alpacas will be returning, and they will be joined by a flock of sheep for a shearing and spinning demonstration. Area food trucks including Red’s Comfort Foods, Sweet ‘N Savory, Bellissimo and Chef on Wheels will rotate daily, and Monnik Beer Company will serve beer on Friday and Saturday. The Louisville Dulcimer Society and The Big Four will provide music throughout the fair. In an effort to be more sustainable, guests are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles to fill at water stations provided by the Louisville Water Company. Inside the visitors’ center, guests will have the opportunity to bid on items in the Silent Auction. All proceeds benefit the educational programs at Locust Grove.
The 23rd Annual Gardeners’ Fair and Silent Auction will be held Friday, May 11 through Sunday, May 13, 2018 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm daily. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for children ages 6-12, free for children under 6. For more information on the Gardeners’ Fair and a complete list of vendors, visit www.locustgrove.org/gardeners-fair.
Locust Grove is located at 561 Blankenbaker Lane (between Brownsboro Road and River Road), Louisville, KY 40207. For more information call (502) 897-9845 or visit www.locustgrove.org.
For more information about these events, please contact Hannah Zimmerman, Marketing and Communications Director at marketing@locustgrove.org or call (502) 897-9845 ext. 108.
