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Council members Mary C. Woolridge (D-3) and Marianne Butler (D-15) along with President David James (D-6) invite the residents to a special meeting concerning safety at William Harrison Park.
“On January 20th, there was a horrible accident at the park and three children were injured by a truck while playing there,” says Woolridge. “We are asking the community to come together and help us make sure this park is safe and this kind of thing never happens again.”
“Parents and children utilize parks to have fun and carefree days; worrying about someone driving into the park should not even enter their mind,” said Butler. “We will work together to come up with a resolution.”
William Harrison Park is located at 3232 Oleanda Avenue and it is where the three Council District come together.
“It’s important that we meet to inform the community what safety improvements we are looking at in order to prevent another horrible tragedy,” says President James.
The three Council members will be meeting with the Terry – Berry Neighborhood Association at The South Louisville Community Center, 2911 Taylor Boulevard beginning at 7:00pm on Tuesday, February 6th.
Metro Public Works, Metro Parks, and LMPD have also been invited to attend this meeting. The main topic of discussion: options to make it safer for children playing in the park.
For thousands of local children – and quite a few adults, too – sledding is a highlight of the winter season. Louisville Parks and Recreation wants to remind the public it will open hills in seven parks for sledding from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on days when snow accumulation reaches 2-3 inches.
Louisville Parks and Recreation has selected its best and safest sledding hills in the area. As long as the sledding hills maintain adequate snow coverage, they will remain open. Park users are asked to avoid sledding when hills are closed. Sledding on slopes that lack appropriate snow depth will cause turf damage that must be repaired in the spring.
The rule of thumb for determining if enough snow accumulation has occurred is that if you see blades of grass poking through the snow cover; it’s not deep enough to sled safely. Sledding when parks employees have not posted the “open” sign, and at all other times, comes at your own risk.
DESIGNATED SLEDDING HILLS:
- Cherokee Park (Baringer Hill, intersection of Alexander Road and Scenic Loop)
- George Rogers Clark Park (1024 Thruston Avenue, behind playground, near McKinley Avenue)
- Joe Creason Park (1297 Trevilian Way, behind Metro Parks administration building)
- McNeely Lake Park (6900 Cooper Chapel Road, near Korean War Memorial)
- Tyler Park (1501 Castlewood Avenue, on Tyler Park Drive side of park)
- Charlie Vettiner Park (5550 Charlie Vettiner Park Road, near Easum Road entrance)
SLEDDING RULES:
- Sledding is permitted on designated sledding hills when the “Sledding Hill Open” sign is displayed.
- Sledding hills will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. as long as there is adequate snow to protect slopes; all sledding hills will close at 11 p.m.
- Park vehicles only in regular parking areas to protect your car from damage.
- No vehicles are permitted off the pavement in any park.
- No alcoholic beverages are permitted at any time.
- Those who use the designated sledding hills are doing so at their own risk. Bonfires will not be permitted at Metro Parks’ sites, and sledders are urged to carry a cell phone in the event of an emergency.
- Please pick up your trash or use the designated trash bins for waste removal – or take trash with you as you leave.
SLEDDING SAFETY TIPS:
- Only use devices designed for sledding.
- Wear appropriate clothing – loose ends or flaps can easily get caught.
- Sleds should contain a number of riders appropriate for the designated device during each descent.
- Dress in layers, so you can remove one layer without risking frostbite. Several thin layers are warmer than one bulky layer.
- Make sure you’re with someone who knows your name and can contact family in an emergency; parents should remain with their children.
- Don’t drink alcohol before sledding – it impairs your ability to use good judgment and causes the body to lose heat more rapidly.
- Check your path for trees and other objects before starting your descent.
- Don’t sled head-first or standing up. Good visibility is necessary during your descent. Don’t face backwards, and make sure your vision isn’t obscured by hats and scarves.
- When climbing the hill, stay to the sides. Don’t climb in the sledding path. It’s important to remember that slopes can become very crowded during peak times.
Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
A. Dana Kasler, a veteran of more than 25 years in parks and recreation administration, has been named the new Assistant Director of Revenue Facilities for Louisville Parks and Recreation.
Kasler, starts for Parks and Recreation on Monday, January 8, was most recently the Director of Parks and Recreation in Parkland, Fla., a nationally-accredited department with a $31 million budget and more than 31,500 acres of parks, preserves, facilities and other sites, including beaches.
“In reviewing Dana’s qualifications, those who worked with him over his career immediately attested to his high degree of professionalism, customer service and the way he built positive relationships with those in the communities he served,” said Seve Ghose, Director of Parks and Recreation. “He’s going to be a great addition to our staff.”
“I’m excited to join the team,” Kasler said. “I chose Louisville Parks and Recreation because of the rich tradition and history, and how the department honors those two things and has an eye on the future.”
Kasler holds Master of Science and Bachelor’s degrees from Ohio University, and his prior jobs include stops in Pittsburgh, Ponte Verde Beach, Fla., Kingsland, Ga., and Athens, Ohio.
His responsibilities will include overseeing nine municipal golf courses, the Iroquois Amphitheater, department-run special events, athletics, and permits and rentals of athletic fields and facilities.
3As previously announced, the Louisville Parks and Recreation storage and maintenance barn at Joe Creason Park will be removed beginning the week of January 8.
The barn, which dates to November 1918, served as The Motor School Garage building for Camp Zachary Taylor during World War I. Although altered over time, the barn incorporates a distinctive wooden lattice truss structural system that spans 102 feet. Originally built as a temporary structure, the wood structural elements have deteriorated over time and have begun to shift and buckle, making the building structurally unsound and unsafe.
The 2017-18 capital budget approved by Metro Council includes funding to take down the Creason barn. The decision to remove the building is based on findings from engineering assessments that cite significant structural deficiencies in the now vacant facility.
Louisville Parks and Recreation continues to work closely with the Camp Zachary Taylor Historical Society and The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure elements of the structure are documented, salvaged and repurposed to commemorate the barn’s history.
“While we are sad to see the structure removed, we are well aware of the current condition,” said Ken Maguire, president of the Camp Zachary Taylor Historical Society. “I’m happy to be working with Louisville Metro to preserve as much of the history as possible and creating a lifetime memorial to Camp Zachary Taylor for future generations.”
Design for the new maintenance facility will begin sometime in 2018.
The structural assessments obtained by the city may be viewed at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/parks/about-us.
Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
Louisville Parks and Recreation is hosting an open house at the Joe Creason Park administration building, 1297 Trevilian Way, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19.
“Our department headquarters is a lovely sight to behold during the holiday season,” said Seve Ghose, director of parks and recreation. “We’d like to invite the public to come and see it in person, and also have the opportunity to discuss the issues that they see as important, with our professional staff.”
For the third consecutive year, the department will also be installing a “Wish Tree” in front of the building. In 2015 and 2016, approximately 1,000 visitors hung wishes for their hopes and dreams for the future on the Wish Tree, a 15-foot Dogwood located in front of the building, located off Trevilian Way across from the Louisville Zoo.
A mailbox located adjacent to the tree, holding pencils and tags to be used for the wishes, will be installed by the end of the week. Wishes can be hung at the tree through January 2018.
Also at the open house, the public will have the opportunity to meet several new members of the parks and recreation management team and weigh in on recent discussion topics with Director Ghose, including the department’s attempt to curb vandalism throughout the system and streamline its budget.
Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call (502) 574-7275 or e-mail parks@louisvilleky.gov.
Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
Five Louisville Parks and Recreation community centers are hosting camps during the upcoming winter break for kids up to age 15.
“We’re thrilled to be able to provide programming for families who are looking for a safe, fun option to keep minds and bodies engaged during the school break,” said Seve Ghose, Director of Parks and Recreation.
Sun Valley Community Center’s camp is already full. Please contact the camp of your choice for more information.
BEECHMONT COMMUNITY CENTER
Wed, Thu, Fri, December 20, 21, & 22, 7:30-6 p.m.
Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, December 26, 27, 28, & 29, 7:30-6 p.m.
While school is out let us entertain your youth in a safe and monitored recreation program. Youth will take part in recreation programs ranging from crafts, sports activities, field trips and more. Dinner is provided. Youth will need to bring their lunch and snacks. Ages 5-12.
FEE: $100/7 days
Phone number: 502/361-5484
CYRIL ALLGEIER COMMUNITY CENTER
Tue-Fri, December 26-29, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
This program provides a safe and fun experience for youth while participating in out-of-school activities. Camp will include craft projects, field trips, and organized gym games. Ages 6-14.
FEE: $50
Phone number: 502/456-3261
DOUGLASS COMMUNITY CENTER
Tue-Fri, December 26-29, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
You’ll enjoy fun and games, and arts and crafts. Ages 6-12.
FEE: $80
Phone number: 502/456-8120
SOUTH LOUISVILLE COMMUNITY CENTER
December 20-22 & December 26-29, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Winter break camp. Space is limited. Ages 8-15.
FEE: $50/week
Phone number: 502/574-3206
SUN VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER (SOLD OUT)
December 20-22 & 27-29, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Winter break camp. Ages 6-12.
FEE: $40 per child/ one week, $60 per child/both weeks
Phone number: 502/937-8802
Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
Louisville Parks and Recreation is accepting team registrations for its adult men’s winter basketball leagues. Games will be played Sunday afternoons at the Cyril Allgeier Community Center, 4101 Cadillac Court, beginning January 21, with game times of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 p.m.
The fee is $450 per team, and participants must be 18 or older. Deadline to register is January 12, or until leagues are filled.
For more information on how to register, please click here. Payments can be made by credit card over the phone @ 502/574-4515. You may also pay by cash or check at the Parks and Recreation athletics office located at the Cyril Allgeier Center, 4101 Cadillac Ct., 40213.
Payment must be made in full at the time of registration in order to reserve your place for the season. Registrations received after deadline will be subject to $35 processing late fee.
All information concerning league offerings, rules, and team roster sheets can be found here. For more information, please contact Michael Wade at Michael.Wade@louisvilleky.gov or call 502/574-4515.