Below are a few of the more common questions regarding this project. If you have additional comments or questions, please send us a message by clicking here.
1. What is The Parklands?
Built by 21st Century Parks, a nonprofit organization, The Parklands will be a world-class integrated public parks system totaling nearly 4,000 acres of land and connected by a 19-mile recreational trail, a scenic park drive and 100 miles of new hiking, biking and equestrian trails located in eastern and southern Louisville, along Floyds Fork Creek, a tributary of the Salt River. The Parklands is one of the nation’s largest and most exciting metropolitan parks projects in the country.
2. Where is The Parklands?
The Parklands is beyond the Gene Snyder Freeway between Shelbyville (near Middletown) and Bardstown Roads (near Fern Creek).
3. Who are the partners involved in the creation of The Parklands?
21st Century Parks is fortunate to have partners in Louisville Metro Government, The Future Fund, Inc., Metropolitan Sewer District, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Federal Highway Administration, Trust for Public Land, Jefferson County Public Schools, Kentucky Division of Forestry, and United States Senator Mitch McConnell.
4. What is the role of 21st Century Parks?
21st Century Parks currently manages the park development process, including design and funding, and will assume responsibility for the management of park maintenance into the future.
5. Where does funding for The Parklands come from?
To date, 21st Century Parks has raised more than $110 million, including $55 million in private contributions and a generous $38 million federal appropriation secured through the efforts of Senator Mitch McConnell.
6. How will The Parklands benefit our city and community?
History shows that great public parks enhance the quality of life by adding green space, promoting the conservation of nature and encouraging healthy lifestyles. Great public parks are also considered a highly valuable amenity that can generate economic growth and prosperity.
7. When will The Parklands be open for public use?
21st Century Parks engaged the internationally acclaimed design firm of Wallace, Roberts & Todd and completed a Master Plan in November 2008 that included input from countless citizens and stakeholder groups across Louisville and the region. Construction has begun on the most northern park, Beckley Creek Park. The northern portion of Beckley Creek Park, including the Egg Lawn, the PNC Achievement Center for Education and Interpretation, the Gheens Foundation Lodge, picnic pavilions, roads, trails and bridges, is scheduled to open in early 2013. In June of 2012 we broke ground on the remainder of Beckley Creek Park and Pope Lick Park. This phase of construction includes the donor plaza, the Grand Allee and many trails and passive recreation areas. All four parks are schedules to be open by the end of 2015.
8. How will The Parklands be maintained?
21st Century Parks will be responsible for the operations and maintenance of the park and is committed to the highest standards of maintenance and security. 21st Century Parks will rely on donor-support for much of the future maintenance of The Parklands.