Parklands to Open The Strand September 30
21 Century Parks, Inc. is set to open the northern end of The Strand at 11:15 a.m. on Friday, September 30. This highly anticipated event will be honored with a ribbon-cutting ceremony near John Floyd Community Building in Pope Lick Park at 11 a.m. on September 30.
Following the ceremony, guests are invited to join 21st Century Parks founder and CEO Dan Jones for a bike ride through The Strand. During the 12-mile, round-trip journey, participants will see a few of The Strand’s special areas, including The Ascent, featuring a three-span bridge more than 670 feet long, and The Palisades—a gorgeous, limestone cliff towering over Floyds Fork.
Completion of this two-mile stretch connects Beckley Creek, Pope Lick, Turkey Run and Broad Run Parks via the Louisville Loop Trail and Floyds Fork. In addition to 20 miles of water trail, Parklands visitors will now have access to 19 miles of continuous, multi-recreational trail for walking, running, biking and exploring.
“The Strand and its three leaping bridges offer visitors beautiful scenery winding along Floyds Fork,” said Parks Director Scott Martin. “Guests interested in a longer journey will be able to hop on the Loop at Shelbyville Road in the north and ride all the way down to Bardstown Road in the south. That’s a 38-mile roundtrip entirely within one park system on a paved pathway dedicated to non-motorized use.”
There are no roadways to access The Strand, so visitors arriving by car will need to park in Pope Lick Park in the north or Turkey Run Park in the south before exploring this new area.
To help celebrate this milestone, Blue Moon Bicycles, exclusive outfitter for bike rentals at The Parklands, will set up at John Floyd Fields in Pope Lick Park from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday, September 30. Blue Moon Bicycles will also re-locate their operations to Pope Lick Park throughout the month of October, giving weekend visitors the opportunity to explore The Parklands newest area by bike. Hours of operation for Blue Moon Bicycles are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sundays. For more details on pricing, including a special discount for Parklands Members, please visit www.theparklands.org/bikerentals.
If you are interested in exploring The Parklands with a paddling trip on Floyds Fork, check out Blue Moon Canoe & Kayaks at www.bluemooncanoeky.com.
Since opening its first area in 2011, The Parklands of Floyds Fork has quickly become a popular destination for outdoor adventure. With all four parks now open, Louisville’s newest urban park is on track to reach 2 million visits in 2016. For more information on The Strand opening ceremony and The Parklands of Floyds Fork, please visit www.theparklands.org/strandopening or contact Communications Coordinator Anna Rosales-Crone at (502) 815-0267 or acrone@21cparks.org.
About the Louisville Loop
The Louisville Loop is a 100-mile multi-recreational non-motorized path planned to encircle the city and link neighborhoods to parks and civic attractions, creating transportation alternatives and recreation opportunities. 21st Century Parks built 19 miles of the Louisville Loop through The Parklands four parks—Beckley Creek Park, Pope Lick Park, Turkey Run Park and Broad Run Park. These 19 miles will be maintained by The Parklands. Metro Louisville is responsible for construction and funding of the other 81 miles. Learn more about the Louisville Loop project and construction progress at www.LouisvilleLoop.org.
About The Parklands of Floyds Fork
The Parklands of Floyds Fork is a nearly 4,000-acre donor-supported public park system within the Floyds Fork watershed in eastern and southeastern Louisville. The $125 million project was funded through more than $70 million in private donations, combined with almost $50 million from federal, state and local government sources. Ongoing operations and maintenance are funded solely through private donations and an endowment fund. Community members may contribute to the annual fund by becoming a Parklands Member. Learn more at www.theparklands.org/member.
One of the largest and most ambitious metropolitan park projects in the nation, The Parklands is a dream realized by 21st Century Parks, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to create and preserve new unexcelled parks that serve as city-shaping infrastructure. 21st Century Parks is responsible for fundraising, land acquisition, construction, and long-term operations of the new park system.