Visitation to the nearly 4,000-acre Parklands of Floyds Fork officially surpassed 25 million earlier this year.  This incredible milestone coincides with the 10-year anniversary of the opening of The Parklands of Floyds Fork.  With 3.5 million visits in 2022, The Parklands has continued to see consistent growth and appreciation from all who visit.

When Dan Jones and his father, David Jones Sr., began developing The Parklands of Floyds Fork in 2004, they never knew that it would become as popular as it has in recent years. Jones says, “My father and I, and our many partners, wanted The Parklands to have the same impact on Louisville, as did the original Olmsted Park system: to shape both the geography and the spirit of our city by developing a major park system ahead of the growth of the city.  At first, it was a vision, then it was a process of acquiring over 80 separate land parcels to assemble nearly 4,000 acres along a 20-mile corridor.  Then it was the challenge of planning, design and development, to actually create from that raw land all of the amazing amenities from bike paths and playgrounds to restored meadows and forests.  Finally, to watch the parks come alive, both in terms of new public spaces and in terms of visitation, has realized that founding vision and been wonderful to observe.  This month we welcomed our 25^th million visit.  Imagine that: 25,000,000 times people have come to parks that didn’t exist a decade ago!  Watching them enjoy nature, recreation, wading in Floyds Fork, visiting with family and friends, is truly amazing!”

The Parklands is city-shaping infrastructure in the last major undeveloped section of Metro Louisville and has quickly become a beloved community asset. The Parklands staff has worked tirelessly to provide a place of education, recreation and connection to nature across the region, with family programming, monthly member activities, and various special events open to the public. The Parklands’ 80+ miles of trails for hiking, biking, and paddling, its playgrounds, spraygrounds, and many other amenities provide the perfect setting for families and individuals alike to get active and enjoy the astounding beauty Kentucky has to offer.

Dan Jones says, “From the beginning, we wanted The Parklands to be ‘well-used and well-loved’.  We know—at this, our 10^th year anniversary– from both our visits (approaching 4 million again this year) and our supporters, that we’ve achieved this goal.  As we move into our second decade, we welcome more visits, and will continue to add more programs and facilities.  I look forward to seeing more students attending our education program, more individuals and families discovering new ways to enjoy The Parklands and its many amenities, and creating new programs to allow greater access to, and discovery of, Kentucky’s amazing natural heritage for people from every part of our city and surrounding counties.”

Plan your next trip to The Parklands of Floyds Fork today. Whether you’re looking to get away from the world, watch your kids run around the playground, or just sit in the sunshine for a little while, The Parklands is sure to provide a fun experience for everyone. As the park system surpasses 25 million visits since 2012, The Parklands of Floyds Fork staff assures everyone it is only going up from here!

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Discover The Parklands of Floyds Fork

The Parklands of Floyds Fork is a nearly 4,000-acre visitor-supported public park system in Louisville, Kentucky, stretching from Shelbyville Road to Bardstown Road. It consists of four major parks—Beckley Creek Park, Pope Lick Park, Turkey Run Park and Broad Run Park—linked by a world-class urban trail system and a remarkable water trail tracing Floyds Fork, a classic Kentucky stream. Serving nearly 4 million visits each year, The Parklands offers something for everyone, whether you are looking for a quiet place to discover nature, a dynamic learning experience through the Outdoor Classroom, a cruise on a scenic park drive, or a stream to paddle. This unique park system does not receive annual government funding and relies on members and donors to continue to provide a safe, clean, fun, and beautiful experience for all those that visit The Parklands. Plan your next visit to The Parklands or donate to help these parks grow as visits continue to increase by visiting their website, www.theparklands.org.

For regular updates on what’s happening in The Parklands, subscribe to our e-mail newsletter at www.theparklands.org, follow us on Facebook @theparklandsoffloydsfork, Twitter @TheParklands and Instagram @theparklandsoffloydsfork. Check out our YouTube channel – TheParklands1 – for trail previews and educational activities.