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Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
As part of a multi-year effort creating improvements at Shawnee Park, Mayor Greg Fischer and other local officials dedicated the newly upgraded and historic Dirt Bowl courts Tuesday morning. The annual Dirt Bowl tournament, in its 48th year, begins this year on Saturday, June 17 at Shawnee Park.
Many of the city’s and region’s leading hoops figures– including Darrell Griffith, Tony Kimbro, Artis Gilmore, Louie Dampier and Derek Anderson – have competed in the tournament. In addition to the high-quality of competition in the tournament, the Dirt Bowl is also been recognized as cultural and social summertime institution in west Louisville.
Just last year, a book titled “I Said Bang: A History Of The Dirt Bowl” was released by the Louisville Story Project outlining the significance of the tournament, from its beginnings in 1969 when it was created by Janis Carter and Ben Watkins.
In conjunction with an underground basin project that is ongoing in the park and is slated to continue through 2018, MSD has committed to making several improvements to the park, including new playing surfaces at Hornung Field, a new open-air pavilion and restrooms and the restoration of the lily pond and Ball House – the future home of the West Louisville Outdoor Recreation Initiative.
“These changes will transform the park and bring amenities that will be enjoyed at Shawnee Park for generations to come,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “The short-term inconvenience due to MSD’s work in the park will result in a long-term gain.”
“I’m so glad that the MSD basin project has made the improvements to the Dirt Bowl courts possible. They are heavily used courts and will be able to extend the enjoyment and usage of the courts for years to come for patrons of all ages,” said Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton, who represents District 5, which includes Shawnee Park.
The work on the basketball courts consists of new fiberglass backboards, a scoreboard, concrete pads and bleachers as well as an enhanced electrical system for the court and nearby surroundings. The courts have also been slightly moved so that the evening sun will not be in the player’s faces, something that has been a long been a challenge at the Dirt Bowl.
“Everything about the Dirt Bowl experience, from the people in the stands listening to the call of the game and watching it on the court, to the players participating in it, will be enhanced because of this work,” said Seve Ghose, Director of Metro Parks and Recreation. “These are crowd-pleasing improvements and we’re looking forward to a great summer at Shawnee Park.”
Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
Major improvements to A.B. Sawyer Park, including the installation of a new playground, picnic shelter and a newly configured parking area, will begin this week. The work, which will significantly improve the park, especially the areas used by Lyndon Recreation will last through late summer.
The project, which is expected to begin Tuesday, May 30, is the first of several phases of work recommended by Metro Parks and Recreation through its master plan for A.B. Sawyer Park completed in 2012. The A. B. Sawyer Greenway, another project proposed by the park master plan, is currently in design.
The project was also advocated and funded by Metro Council members Marilyn Parker (District 18), Angela Leet (District 7) and Glen Stuckel (District 17). Since 2014, the Metro Council has allocated $1.3 million towards this project, with additional funding for other adjacent projects planned in the coming months. Council members Parker, Leet and Stuckel have been tremendous supporters of Lyndon Recreation and making these needed improvements to A.B. Sawyer Park.
“A.B. Sawyer Park serves so many of our families throughout the year. The park is adjacent to the NE YMCA, the future site of our newest Regional Library and an ideal location for persons wishing to get a little exercise during a lunch break. The planning for this project has included all users of the park and will transform this into a much more safe and user friendly jewel for the community.” – Metro Councilwoman Marilyn Parker.
The project is overseen by the Metro Parks Planning, Design and Construction Division with Element Design collaborating as the Landscape Architectural consultant.
Work occurring within the Lyndon Recreation use area includes the construction of a new playground, picnic shelter, pedestrian entry and walkway, walking path to the Northeast YMCA and a newly configured parking lot. The park entry drive from Whipps Mill Road will also be relocated.
“It’s exciting to see the work at A.B. Sawyer commence, and know this initial work is the start of bigger and better things to come,” said Seve Ghose, Metro Parks and Recreation Director. “We hope those who use the park enjoy the improvements and thank Councilwoman Parker and Lyndon Recreation for their partnership.”
Construction is expected to be completed in late summer or early fall of this year. The Lyndon Recreation parking area will be closed intermittently during the construction period. Park visitors are encouraged to allow extra time to park and enter the site.
“As with any project of this size, there will be inconveniences. We apologize in advance for any disruption or distraction,” said Nathan Moore, Lyndon Recreation Board President, “You may have to walk slightly further from your parking spot or park in a different lot for a couple months, but we assure you, once completed, you will agree that the improvements were worth a couple months of changed behavior.”
Additional parking will be available after 5 p.m. at the Plaza III parking area at 9520 Ormsby Station Rd. as well as the YMCA lot next to the football field. All other A.B. Sawyer Park and Lyndon Recreation facilities will remain open during construction.
The construction area will be fenced, and parking spaces and sidewalk areas will occasionally close to accommodate equipment and delivery during the construction hours of Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 4;30 p.m. and some Saturday hours. Lyndon Recreation encourages parents to ensure children are not playing in or around the construction site while work is underway.
For more information about the Lyndon Recreation A.B. Sawyer Park construction project, call 502-648-6534. For more information about the A.B. Sawyer Park Master Plan, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/parks/ab-sawyer-master-plan.
Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
All four outdoor Metro Parks and Recreation swimming pools – including the Algonquin Pool, 1614 Cypress Street, will be open as originally scheduled for Memorial Day weekend.
Because of a lack of available, certified lifeguards, the Algonquin Park pool was in danger of not opening on time for the traditional opening of the Metro Parks and Recreation outdoor pool season, which is the Saturday before Memorial Day.
Metro Parks and Recreation staff has supplemented the available lifeguards with staff from other sites, including a manager and supervisor, who will facilitate the opening of the pool on Saturday, May 27, at 11 a.m. Metro Parks and Recreation also is working with the Louisville Metro Police Department to provide security at the Algonquin pool.
Admission is $2 for children 17 and younger and $3 for adults 18 and over. Photo identification is required for anyone age 9 or older; children 8 and under must be accompanied by a guardian 12 or older with photo identification. Metro Parks can make identification cards for children who need them for $4 per card; call (502) 897-9949 for details.
(Note: For information on the Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center, click here.)
Metro Parks pools will be open:
Summer 2017: May 27, 28 & 29- Memorial Day Weekend &
June 3 – July 29, 2017 pools will Open Daily with the following schedules:
Algonquin Park
1614 Cypress Street, 40210
502/772-7907
Open Daily: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. • Closed Tuesdays
Fairdale (Nelson Hornbeck Park)
709 Fairdale Road, 40118
502/361-8270
Open Daily: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. • Closed Mondays
Norton (Camp Taylor Memorial Park)
4201 Lee Avenue, 40213
502/451-0678
Open Daily: 11 a m.- 4 p m • Closed Thursdays
Sun Valley Park
6506 Bethany Lane, 40272
502/935-0302
Open Daily: 1p m – 6 p.m. • Closed Wednesdays
Metro Parks still offering lifeguard training at Algonquin Pool
After Memorial Day weekend, the pools, including Algonquin, close until Saturday, June 3, when they will remain open six days a week through July 29.
Metro Parks and Recreation is still offering a lifeguard certification course at the Algonquin Pool from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 30 through Friday, June 2.
Thus far, 10 citizens have registered to take the course, leaving spots for 10 more students.
Those who commit to working at a Metro Parks and Recreation pool for the summer season will be able to take the course for free. Students should be 16 years of age or older to become certified as a lifeguard.
They must pass the prerequisites below to become certified.
Prerequisites for Lifeguard Training
The following are prerequisite skills for lifeguard training; you will be asked to perform these skills on the first day of class.
- Swim 300 yards continuously– 100 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, and 100 choice of freestyle or breaststroke.
- Tread water for two minutes no hands.
- Swim 20 yards and surface dive 10 feet retrieving a 10-pound brick. Once swimmer has retrieved brick then the swimmer must swim 20 yards on their back while holding both hands on the brick to the original starting point.
- The swimmer must exit the water without using a ladder or steps. This prerequisite must be completed in 1 min and 40 seconds.
To register for the course, call Keith Smith at (502) 895-6499.
Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
A new mobile application that allows users to locate the nearest park or community center and make a tee time at any Metro Parks and Recreation golf course is now available for Apple and Android devices free of charge in the app store.
In addition to the GPS-enabled mapping and tee time technology, the app provides a comprehensive calendar of programs and events, information on athletic leagues and schedules, information about shelter and pavilion rentals, links to social media and more.
Users can find it in the app store by searching “Louisville Metro Parks and Rec.”
“We all know that a great parks system enhances the quality of life for all citizens. And this app will help enhance the park-use experience. So go to the app store, get the Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation app, and get yourself to a park,” Mayor Greg Fischer said.
“We’re pleased to present this new app to the community,” Parks and Recreation Director Seve Ghose said. “It’s a great way to keep up with all the fun activities and events going on this summer throughout our nationally-accredited parks and recreation department.”
Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation will be offering local youths the opportunity to take part in a local golf tour that begins with a kickoff event at Seneca Golf Course on May 28.
The “Louisville Junior Golf Tour” is designed for all children who play golf or are interested in learning the sport. Metro Parks and Recreation golf pros have come up with a series of one-day events with highlights that include easier, more relaxed rules than traditional golf, short-yardage courses, stroke limits with each hole, and affordable pricing with professional experience and guidance from the pros themselves.
“We want to bridge the gap between kids who are introduced to the game casually and the kids who compete in high-level golf tournaments,” said Tommy Betz, the PGA Professional at Bobby Nichols Golf Course and Director of the Junior Golf Tour. “This is the perfect way to start competing and more importantly begin by learning to enjoy the game first.”
The tour starts with a “Kickoff Event” on Sunday, May 28th at Seneca Golf Course for a cost of only $9.50 – the other tour events will be $25 per player. To register and enter junior golfers, check out the schedule and other pertinent information at LouisvilleJrTour.com.
“This is another way for children already involved in our many youth golf programs such as The First Tee of Louisville, PGA Junior League teams, summer camps, elementary, grade school, and high school golfers in Louisville to compete and enjoy our amenities at Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation golf courses,” said Marty Storch, Deputy Director of Metro Parks and Recreation.Pho
ABOUT METRO PARKS GOLF:
Louisville’s nine public golf courses offer a quality golfing experience at some of the most affordable prices in the nation. Each course has its own unique character, and some consistently rank among Kentucky’s best and most challenging courses. The nine municipally-owned golf courses meet the needs of everyone from beginners to scratch golfers. For more information, visit http://www.louisvilleky.gov/MetroParks/golf.
Bobby Nichols Golf Course, 4301 E. Pages Lane, 502/937-9051 (9 holes)
Charlie Vettiner Golf Course, 10207 Mary Dell Lane, 502/267-9958 (18 holes)
Cherokee Golf Course, 2501 Alexander Road, 502/458-9450 (9 holes)
Crescent Hill Golf Course, 3110 Brownsboro Road, 502/896-9193 (9 holes)
Iroquois Golf Course, 1501 Rundill Road, 502/363-9520 (18 holes)
Long Run Golf Course, 1605 Flat Rock Road, 502/245-9015 (18 holes)
Seneca Golf Course, 2300 Pee Wee Reese Blvd, 502/458-9298 (18 holes)
Shawnee Golf Course, 460 Northwestern Parkway, 502/776-9389 (18 holes)
Sun Valley Golf Course, 6505 Bethany Lane, 502/937-9228 (18 holes)
Photo: B4L website
Approximately 100 bicycle parking spaces will be available during Derby Week at Wayside Park near Churchill Downs, thanks to a partnership between Bicycling for Louisville and Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation.
Bike parking will be free of charge at the park, which is located in the 3100 block of S. Third Street, on Thursday (Thurby), Friday (Oaks Day) and Saturday (Derby Day). No motorcycles will be allowed in the parking area, and cyclists who leave their bikes at Wayside Park should bring their own locks, as the park will not be monitored during those three days.
The bike parking option gives those interested an alternative way to get to avoid high parking fees and traffic congestion when going to the track.
“We’re hoping a lot of people use this option — as a way to save money and time, but also as a fun way to get to and from Churchill,” said Chris Glasser, Executive Director of Bicycling for Louisville. “Taking a bike to the track ends up being a far more convenient option than sitting in traffic all day.”
Wayside Park has a historic tie-in with cycling in Louisville. In 1897, the Cycle Carnival – a huge bicycle parade that included about 10,000 cyclists viewed by 50,000 spectators – passed Wayside Park en route to Iroquois Park from Broadway.
The Louisville Bicycle Club has adopted Wayside Park under the Metro Parks and Recreation Adopt-A-Park program.
“The park has a very interesting history as it relates to cycling in Louisville, and we’re pleased to be able to call attention to that once again,” said Seve Ghose, Director of Metro Parks and Recreation. “It’s great to be able to use it in this fashion during Derby Week.”
Mayor Greg Fischer endorsed the idea too, noting that it’s a way to promote health and have fun, though he cautioned Derby go-ers to “hold on to your hat!”
It’s time to take your shot at $1 million! The Stock Yards Bank Kentucky Derby Festival $1 Million Dollar Hole-In-One Golf Contest opens this Thursday, April 20, and runs through Sunday, April 30. The contest will take place at the Seneca Golf Course Driving Range off Pee Wee Reese Road. There will be 10 days of preliminary qualifying rounds and a Semi-final Round on Sunday, April 30.
The preliminary competition is open 10 AM to 8:30 PM every day from April 20 – April 30, except for April 22, when it will be closed for Thunder Over Louisville. The last day for preliminary competition is Sunday, April 30, from 10 AM to 5 PM, and then the Semi-Final round begins at 6 PM. Competitors and spectators can relax in the refreshment tent located adjacent to the tee area.
During the preliminary rounds the 10 closest shots to the hole each day will advance to the Semi-final round, while hole-in-one shots, will advance directly to the Finals. It’s $1 per shot daily, with 2 shots for $1 specials on the following days:
- Senior Days (62+): Weekdays 10 AM – 2 PM
- Junior Day (under 18): April 23
- First Responders & Veterans Day: April 24
- Ladies Day: April 25
There are a total of 56 positions in the Finals, which include all daily hole-in-one qualifiers, four female qualifiers from Ladies’ Day, plus two qualifiers under the age of 18 from Junior Day advance as well. The Finals will be held on Tuesday, May 2, at 6 PM at Seneca Golf Course Hole #8. If no hole in one is awarded during the Grand Prize round, the participant coming closest to the hole during the Finals will receive a $5,000 first prize.
Stock Yards Bank is the title sponsor of the event. Contributing Sponsor is Metro Parks & Recreation, joining Media Sponsors WLKY TV, 840 WHAS and Insider Louisville
Since 1956, the Derby Festival has worked to bring the community together in celebration. The Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.
