The Parklands is a place of wondrous moments and momentous events. If you’re a regular park visitor, you know the joys of activities like hiking and sightseeing. If you’ve been part of a special occasion at one of our venues, you’ve experienced the happiness that comes from celebrating with others in a breathtaking park setting.

We were delighted to see couples take a ceremonious walk down the aisle on our venue lawns in 2024. We also hosted lots of exciting corporate and community events. In this article, we reflect on some of our top event highlights of the year.

Hundreds of events at our unique venues

We have so much to be thankful for as we look back over the past year. From our large event spaces to our charming outdoor pavilions, our park venues were the site of hundreds of celebrations large and small, as well as meetings, memorials, and other events.

Beautiful and memorable wedding celebrations

Over the past year, our venues have played a part in many wedding receptions and ceremonies. One couple who shared a love for travel landed on the Gheens Foundation Lodge in Beckley Creek Park as the venue for their reception. They added a distinct personal touch to their event by making their favorite destinations a central theme. In lieu of numbers for each table, the couple chose centerpieces representing the various cities and parks they had visited together. Each display included a photo from their trip.

At the Hockensmith Barn in Turkey Run Park, during the summer season, we appreciated seeing couples and their guests dance, socialize, and toast special occasions under rafters draped in glittering lights.

“We loved our experience with the Parklands! Beth was incredibly helpful throughout the whole process (as well as the other event staff). We hike, bike, and paddle the Parklands all the time so it was the perfect space to have our wedding too. Our guests enjoyed it and it was everything we could have asked for and more!” – Kirsten H.

Inspiring corporate galas and team gatherings

We’ve also savored opportunities to help local businesses plan engaging outings for their teams. At the Gheens Foundation Lodge, floor-to-ceiling windows and light-filled rooms offered an inviting atmosphere for presentations and collaboration.

Some business groups like Coldwell Banker made return visits in 2025, and we were glad to form connections with new groups from organizations like the Kentucky Society of Professional Engineers (KSPE) and RE/MAX.

“I’m blown away by the ease of this event—everything is clean and ready when you arrive. They helped me put on tablecloths which was a huge time saver on Thursday morning. AV was easy to use and all gadgets were ready for us. All the helpfulness and the ease of use on top of the facility being so beautiful!! It was decorated so tastefully for the holiday. I cannot say enough about how much I love this place! Thanks so much!” – Cynthia N.

Birthdays, picnics, and other festive occasions

Where better to ham it up with family and friends than in a repurposed pig barn? We had groups who did just that in 2024 at the Pignic Barn in Turkey Run Park, an open-air picnic pavilion that’s part of the Brown-Forman Silo Center.

With venues ranging from Amish-built barns to picnic gazebos and outdoor pavilions, The Parklands offers endless possibilities for events. For our Events team, vendors, and guests, the year 2024 was one of birthday parties, movie nights, and many other unforgettable occasions.

Miles of ground and stream covered

We hosted 10 runs in 2024, many of which benefited our mission and provided opportunities for new visitors to tour the parks on foot.

The Louisville Marathon is a staple event at The Parklands that returned once again. Since 2017, this popular race has been a big draw to our parks, attracting up to 1,000 participants. Another standout in 2024 was the Unbridled Women’s Adventure Race, a dynamic sporting event for women and girls that included six hours of orienteering, hiking, biking, and paddling on Floyds Fork.

We could say we’re catching our breath as we start the new year, but instead we feel invigorated about the events that lie ahead!

Community and educational events held year-round

Throughout 2024, kids enjoyed our parks through our seasonal day camps, school field trips, and our weekly Wednesday Wonders programs, while learners of all ages came to the parks to participate in educational community events like The Great Backyard Bird Count, Earth Day Fest, and more.

A main feature of 2024 was Junior Explorer, a free event that is open to all ages and supported by our Education team, community partners, and select vendors. More than 1,000 people attended our three Junior Explorer events last year, with our Turtle Derby in May being the most popular with 450 attendees! At these family-friend events, attendees learned about nature topics through hands-on activities and engaging demonstrations. We hope to see you at our Junior Explorer events in 2025!

Events and programs at The Parklands are guided by our goal of providing safe, clean, fun, and beautiful park experiences for people of all ages and abilities—365 days a year. We thank all donors and visitors who have helped us deliver on this goal in 2024.

For more information on facilities available for rental, visit our venues page on our website. View a list of events in 2025 on our Upcoming Events page. Be sure to check back often since the schedule is frequently updated!