With the help of its strategic partners, Louisville Metro and the land trust Future Fund, 21st Century Parks has acquired 3,800 acres of land, through 70 separate real estate transactions. This acreage will be protected as public parkland in perpetuity and represents one of the last undeveloped portions of the community.
“A project of this size could not be achieved without the help of many people and perhaps its most striking characteristic is the strength of its partnerships.” Daniel H. Jones.
Land Preservation
21st Century Parks has preserved over 3,800-acres of land (goal 4,000-acres), and the Master Plan allocates 80 percent of those lands to the following natural habitat:
- 2,000 acres of forestland (increases oxygenation and reduces CO2).
- 400 acres of restored native meadowlands (increases habitat corridors, reduces mowing).
- Up to 50 acres of restored wetlands (enhance habitat and water quality).
- Up to 7 miles of restored streambanks (reduces erosion).
- Conversion of almost 400 acres to support sustainable agriculture (showcases heritage while reducing chemical use and siltation).
About Our Partners
Great parks don’t just grow on trees, but perhaps great cities do.
The Parklands are inspired by the belief that great parks can shape a city, grow along with a city and, ultimately, serve as the seedling from which a city’s best and most livable neighborhoods grow.
Future Fund is a land trust founded by former Lt. Gov. Steve Henry, M.D. Future Fund began acquiring land along Floyds Fork for preservation in the early 1990s. The land trust is now a strategic partner in this project and has been integral in helping to secure acreage for the project.
Metro Parks is Louisville Metro Government’s parks authority. The three Metro Parks properties (William F. Miles Lakes, John Floyd Fields and the Tyler Schooling property, approximately 500 acres) are a part of The Parklands. Investments will be made by 21st Century Parks in these properties as part of The Parklands’ master plan. Through an innovative agreement, these properties will be protected in perpetuity as public parkland and will be maintained by 21st Century Parks on a five-year renewable contract as part of The Parklands of Floyds Fork park operations.
http://www.louisvilleky.gov/MetroParks
It is important to understand that visitors to The Parklands will move seamlessly from one end of the park to the other regardless of whether the land is officially owned by 21st Century Parks, Metro Parks or Future Fund, and that 21st Century Parks is responsible for and committed to funding the maintenance and operations of the entire park at the highest quality for generations.