Olmsted Parks - Restore. Enhance. Preserve.

 

Spring 2004

Partners across the community bring success to capital campaign

Launching the final, public phase of The Scenic Drive capital campaign and celebrating its success to date, the Conservancy was host to donors and government dignitaries on March 15 at a reception held atop Baringer Hill. Leading the cheers was Conservancy Chairman Bill Juckett who also has spent two years at the helm of the capital campaign committee.

The second major capital campaign of the Louisville Olmsted Parks Conservancy set an ambitious $4.3 million goal in 2000 when it was launched as Great Parks, Great City. With a commitment in 2001 from the James Graham Brown Foundation for a $1.5 million challenge grant, the board of trustees embarked on a mission to develop a diverse base of financial resources to continue the work outlined in the 1994 Master Plan. Because of the impact of the September 11 tragedy and the economic downturn, the campaign stalled. In 2002 the campaign was reinvigorated under Juckett’s leadership who enlisted the help of fundraising consultants, The Covenant Group. With staff support from Kate Chandler who began directing the Conservancy’s daily development efforts in September 2002, the campaign has to date received gifts and pledges totaling over $5.3 million.

Keynote speaker of the day, Louisville Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson, in his role as “keeper of the parks and a leading advocate for park preservation said, “The results of this capital campaign will delight park-goers across our community. The Conservancy is a wonderful partner that has been exceeding our expectations for years. It’s not surprising that you didn’t just meet the goal, but have already surpassed it.”

Congresswoman Anne Northup was instrumental in securing funding for improvements in the historic parks system through both the Department of the Interior and VA-HUD appropriations. On hand for the reception she noted that “Louisville’s Olmsted Parks system is among the most extensive and vibrant parks systems in the nation. The parks provide a place for residents to come together for outdoor events, to exercise, or just to enjoy nature. Louisville is truly set apart by its beautiful parks, and I was glad to provide federal dollars to ensure their revitalization and safekeeping for the good of the entire community.”

For the ceremony, banners hung throughout the pavilion showed architectural renderings of projects planned in many of the Olmsted Parks. Mitch Barnes, DREAM Foundation chairman, pointed out Fun Forest Adventure Playground in Iroquois Park slated for completion during the upcoming phase of improvements. Through its “Play Together” project the foundation is providing funds for construction of rehab friendly play pieces and at $500,000 is one of the largest donors to the capital campaign.

“The generosity of Brown-Forman Corporation made it possible for us to fund several important projects in Shawnee Park with grants totaling $200,000” said Juckett. “They have been long-time supporters of the Conservancy and the community. Receiving the $1.5 million challenge grant from the James Graham Brown Foundation really energized our efforts. With support from partners like these, we couldn’t fail.”

Playing together at Des Pres shows the vision for Olmsted Parks

Mayor Abramson and Metro officials were joined by Congresswoman Anne Northup to celebrate the opening of a specially designed playground for children of all abililities on April 10 th at Des Pres Park off Taylorsville Road. The “Play Together” playground was a joint effort of Louisville’s Metro government; the DREAM Foundation, Inc.; Louisville Olmsted Parks Conservancy; and 26 th District Metro Council Member Ellen Call.

Mitch Barnes, founder and chairman of the DREAM Foundation, Inc. approached Metro officials in 2002 about his interest in providing play facilities for children with disabilities. Barnes and his wife Meredith, created the foundation in 1998 after their son Mitchell was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The foundation is dedicated to helping children and families with physical disabilities by raising capital to fund playgrounds, scholarships to educate pediatric physicians, and research programs focused on finding a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and other childhood diseases. Working with Frazier Rehab and The Weber Group, the foundation is seeking to build four additional theme-oriented playgrounds. Selected as a demonstration project for the playground because of its central location and its high level of use, Des Pres Park parking and restroom facilities were also improved, making them more accessible.

Barnes presented an oversized check to Bill Juckett, Conservancy board chairman, to begin the funding phase for the next Play Together site. Forest Adventure Playground in Iroquois Park is slated to begin construction in late 2004 with anticipated completion in spring 2005. Metro Parks and Louisville Olmsted Parks Conservancy will jointly match the $300,000 pledge from the DREAM Foundation for the project which will incorporate the history and heritage of Iroquois Park.

“The DREAM Foundation has found a true ally in the Conservancy. Our mission so closely reflects the values of Frederick Law Olmsted in making parks available and enjoyable for everyone. We’re thrilled to partner with the Conservancy and Metro Parks to provide fully accessible playgrounds in three Louisville Metro parks”, said Barnes. Plans for additional playgrounds in Shawnee Park, and on land between Jewish Hospital and Frazier Rehab will begin following completion of the Iroquois Park project.

Central Park—Celebrating 100 years

As wealthy tycoons moved to suburban Louisville following the Civil War, Mr. Alfred “Fred” Victor duPont purchased a tract of land which lay between Fourth and Sixth Streets and extended from Park Avenue to one block south of Hill Street. The land had been improved in keeping with traditional town estates of the period by the previous owner, Rev. Stuart Robinson, and was further enhanced by Mr. duPont. He opened the park like wooded setting to the public and it became known as duPont Square.

In an attempt to attract industrial and agricultural markets to the city a group of local businessmen, which included duPont, organized the 1883 Southern Exposition. Machinery and appliances of the North and industrial and agricultural products from the South were displayed on 45 acres of the duPont estate. Thousands of incandescent lights, a recent invention of then Louisville resident Thomas Edison, illuminated the Exposition’s main building which itself covered over 13 acres. The show, scheduled to close following its 100 day run, was so successful that organizers decided to hold it annually and did so until 1887. The north end of the site, duPont Square had been improved and had, along with the original residence, a small lake, art gallery and band stand.

In 1896, the city leased the area known as Central Park from the duPont family for a period of three years. In 1900, the voters approved a bond issue that would allow for the purchase of the over 17 acres. After a long delay due to litigation, a court decision in 1903 finally released the bonds and the Olmsted firm was engaged to prepare a general plan for further development of the park. The Park Commissioners hoped that the firm would pay particular attention to their request for a children’s play area and make recommendations about what to do with the existing structures.

In 1904, the Olmsted Brothers submitted a general plan which included the Pergola, Shelter and Field House, 3 tennis courts, a running track and open air gyms for men and women. Enthused by the suggestion of a children’s area, the firm designed areas for a wading pool, swings, see saws, a stage and a large sand court. Formality was the keynote of the plan, as the brothers designed elaborate walkways and border plantings. The firm recommended demolition of the existing structures on the grounds, removal and “grubbing of worthless and crowding trees” and shrubs, and installation of an iron picket fence at the park’s perimeter.

The popularity of the park increased as it was a wonderful place for children, a sanctuary for tennis players, and an enviable destination for strolling in the summer shade. With the grand residences on St. James Court and the magnificent homes bordering the park, the area was a prestigious and fashionable neighborhood.

This year marks the 100 th anniversary of Central Park and will be celebrated in grand style by the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council. The first weekend in June will kick off a season of events which will include a tennis tournament, a wine and cheese party with a special “champagne toast” to the elegant park, an old fashioned ice cream social, and summer concert series. Make plans to join with the neighborhood associations as they highlight a most unique Olmsted Park.

Brown-Forman funding revitalizes Shawnee Park's South Concourse

Shawnee Park was set aside as a public ground in 1893 to take advantage of the sweeping Ohio River frontage. The concourses, associated gardens and Lily Pond were designed as the formal features of Shawnee Park-- gathering places for people to promenade and enjoy the views. The vistas were framed and accented by trees which provided a lace curtain effect instead of being completely open.

Before the Conservancy undertook the project to reclaim the beautiful vistas of Shawnee Park in 2002, the river views were entirely obscured by a massive entanglement of vines, brambles, and invasive non-native trees. Weeds crept through the broken walkways making the concourses unattractive and uninviting. The SouthConcourse was inaccessible, littered with trash, and marred by old metal gates and decrepit bollards.

Over the past two years, work by the Conservancy's Park Champions, supplemented by private contractors and Metro Parks staff, has recaptured the scenic vistas and returned this area of Shawnee Park to its original splendor. Thanks to generous funding from Brown-Forman, the vistas are once again enticing park patrons to gaze across the Ohio River. Recently constructed walking paths, park benches and upgraded parking areas complete the final phase of restoration provided by Brown-Forman's $100,000 gift.