Louisville Park History and Dedication

Parks & Recreation

Louisville Park History and Dedication

Park History

The need for a park in this area was identified in the 1994 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan. The 1999 1/4-cent capital improvement sales tax provided the funds needed to acquire the park. The 8-acre site, part of a 200-acre family farm, was purchased in 2002 from Opal Smith for $154,935.

Photo of large oak tree at Louisville Park The site had several mature trees, and in particular, a magnificent oak tree that was located off the terminus of Manahasset Drive. This proved to be challenge to park planners as to how to make an access to the park off of Manahasset Drive while still preserving the large oak tree. It was decided to purchase the vacant .26-acre lot adjacent to the park to construct a cul-de-sac to facilitate the preservation of the trees. The lot was purchased for $38,000 from Joseph Tosini of Hamlet Limited Partnership, with an acknowledgement of a $5,000 donation from the seller.

On the west boundary of the park, the Louisville Road extension was completed in 2007, making the park accessible from all surrounding neighborhoods.

The cost of developing Louisville Park was $142,000, which included funding from the 1999 1/4-cent sales tax, the Park Sales Tax, and force account labor.

Park development began in 2006 and was substantially completed in 2007. Development included a demonstration rain garden and an exhibit planting for the Stop the spread! campaign - an educational project to manage the invasive plant threat of ornamental pear trees.

The park was dedicated on June 14, 2008.

Park Dedication

Date: June 14, 2008
Dedication Program

About 40 people attended the park dedication on Saturday, June 14, 2008. The dedication program included remarks by Parks and Recreation Director Mike Hood, City Manager Bill Watkins, Mayor Darwin Hindman, and Fourth Ward Council Member Jerry Wade.