Flood Response & Clean-up
The Parklands of Floyds Fork experienced extensive flooding throughout all four parks and The Strand the weekend of February 25, 2018. Throughout the event, staff worked tirelessly to close off flooded trails, roadways and areas to help ensure visitor safety.
As water began to recede on Monday morning, members of the Maintenance, Natural Areas, Garden and Trail teams went to work clearing debris and mud from roads and pathways. Following a flood event, order of priority to re-open areas is as follows: Park roads, Louisville Loop, Paved Trails, Paddling Accesses. The team begins work on the ends—Shelbyville Road in the north and Bardstown Road in the south—working their way to the center. The Strand, containing some of the lowest areas of The Parklands, is the last area to be cleared.
While a few closures remain in place, most areas re-opened on Monday, just in time for park visitors to get out and enjoy the sunshine. Clean up will continue on Tuesday, February 27 as water clears from The Strand and paddling accesses. Closure Updates
Photo by John Nation
Read on for a closer look at the work conducted by our hardworking Operations Team to get things back open, allowing visitors to enjoy the park.
Flood by Numbers
- 13,700 – The CFS (water flow) at Mt. Washington Gauge as water peaked on Sunday morning
- 4 – Major road closures during flood, in addition to 7 paddling accesses and several trails
- Beckley Creek Parkway from MSD Bridge to under I-64
- Beckley Creek Parkway from Thornton Bridge to English Station Road entrance
- Pope Lick Park entrance
- Broad Run Park at Bardstown Road to nearby Cliffside
- 20 – Parklands Team Members pitching in with closures and clean up
- 16 supporting clean-up efforts
- 4 Park Rangers managing closures
- 7 – Park Vehicles to transport team members and tools
- 2 – Small utility tractors to remove gravel that accumulated on roads and pathways
- 2 – High-pressure spray tanks to help clear mud from Louisville Loop and other paved paths
- Numerous squeegees and shovels to remove mud and stone from roads and pathways
While the numbers above provide a snapshot of the work conducted, clean-up and repairs to gardens, lawns and trails will continue into the spring. By supporting The Parklands through Membership, your donation helps fund the flood response and clean-up conducted during the past 48 hours as well as future work to maintain our parks 365 days a year. Join today at www.theparklands.org/Member.
CLICK HERE to view more photos of flood and clean up.
About the Author
Anna Rosales-Crone
As Manager of Marketing and Communications, Anna Rosales-Crone manages internal and external communications strategies for The Parklands, as well as marketing to promote facility rentals, educational programming, fundraising and overall park awareness. Anna was hired as Communications Coordinator in May of 2015 to help build awareness of the newly constructed park by managing The Parklands brand, website and social media. Prior to joining The Parklands team, she worked in communications at the American Red Cross for five years where she grew the Louisville Area Chapter’s digital and social media presence while supporting public relations, marketing and special events. She also provided public affairs support and guidance during major disaster operations. Anna is a graduate of the University of Evansville where she met her husband and the second love of her life—traveling. She also enjoys hiking, reading, baking, dancing, going to concerts and hanging out with her two cats. Contact me about: media relations, photo requests and website.