Current Projects
Douglass Community Center Project
What many do not know is the home at the center of the Douglass Community Center (DCC) has a rich and storied past. Its tale reflects the history of Louisville, beginning as a parcel of land in the country, to Hollingsworth, the home of one of Louisville's founding families, to a college-preparatory school for girls. In 1973, the City of Louisville acquired the home and grounds and founded the DCC.
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With nearly five decades of service to Louisville's residents, the DCC has provided a space for people to connect, to grow, and to exercise their bodies, minds, and civic rights. The challenge before us is to ensure this historic treasure will continue its vital service to the community. We firmly believe the future will be the richest part of its story.
To learn more about this project click here for a link to an article from WLKY & here for a link to an article by Spectrum TV.
Recent Projects
Nature play at
Russell Lee park
The Louisville Parks Foundation is exploring the latest playground trend sweeping the country, nature play. Multiple studies have shown providing access to nature play amenities provides many benefits not found when children play on a "traditional" play structure, where more prescriptive play is encouraged. A report from the National Wildlife Federation showed such benefits include:
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Improved classroom behavior;
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Increased student motivation and enthusiasm to learn;
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Better performance in math, science, reading, and social studies;
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Reduced Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD);
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Higher scores on standardized tests (including college entrance exams);
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Improved performance in school for under-resourced, low-income students.
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We recently installed a "pop-up" nature play amenity at Russell Lee Park in the Park DuValle neighborhood. This will allow the community to provide feedback on the structure, and give us an opportunity to learn what the children enjoy. Our hope is to replicate this type of play in several of our public parks.
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To share feedback on this installation, please email tkordesich@louisvilleparksfoundation.org.
Soccer Fields in South Louisville​
In 2018, The Louisville Parks Foundation (LPF) set a goal of installing 5 artificial turf soccer fields in 3 South Louisville parks. Beechmont Community Center received (1) 5-a-side field in June 2018, and we kicked off our fundraising efforts. In February 2019, a larger field (125' x 225') was installed at William Harrison Park and we completed the project in October 2019 with the installation of (3) 5-a-side soccer fields at Wyandotte Park. When we started this project there were no soccer fields in our public parks in South Louisville, and these state-of-the-art fields will not only serve the South Louisville community, but draw residents from across the city to enjoy the international game of soccer.
To learn more about this project - Check out the video from Louisville MetroTV CLICK HERE
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Breslin Park 2.0
The Louisville Parks Foundation partnered with the skating community, the Irish Hill Neighborhood Association, Home Skateshop, Councilman Bill Hollander, Rockerbuilt, and Hunger Skateparks to bring wonderful new amenities to this beautiful park. Hunger has built skateparks across the U.S. and overseas, and we were thrilled to work with them. On August 30, 2018 we opened the Skate Spot to much fanfare! This “Skateable Art” structure was designed to be enjoyed by all ages, as well as bring interactive art to one of our public parks.
The shade structure, installed by Rockerbuilt, has brought another level of design to the project, as well as much needed shade, for those hot summer days.
LPF partnered with the Louisville Dog Run Association, Feeder’s Supply, and Councilman Brandon Coan to expand the Dog Park in Cherokee Park on Cochran Hill.
Under Construction - The fencing material was supplied and installed by Metro Fence Industries, Inc.
We love our furry friends!
LPF partnered with the Louisville Dog Run Association, Feeder’s Supply, and Councilman Brandon Coan to expand the Dog Park in Cherokee Park on Cochran Hill.
Our latest completed project was the installation of two fully-inclusive playgrounds at Lannan Park, in the Portland neighborhood, and Russell Lee Park, in the Park DuValle neighborhood.
Both playgrounds were installed in Fall 2017. These playgrounds are similar to the playground we installed at California Park in 2015.
California Park Playground
Our latest completed project was the installation of two fully-inclusive playgrounds at Lannan Park, in the Portland neighborhood, and Russell Lee Park, in the Park DuValle neighborhood.
Micro Grant Application
Have a project your organization or neighborhood is doing in a Metro Park? Maybe we can help!
The Louisville Parks Foundation will provide Micro Grants, of up to $5000, to community organizations making
improvements to our public parks. Click below for the grant application, and forward to Brooke Pardue at bpardue@louisvilleparksfoundation.org. We have an open grant cycle, so there are no deadlines to meet.