Fairdale – Gateway to the Forest

By BENNETT KNOX
Natural Areas Division Manager
e-mail Bennett 

 

Fairdale is often thought of as the “Gateway to the Forest” – the point through which most visitors pass to reach the Forest formed as one travels through Fairdale and along Mitchell Hill Road. It is a stated goal of many, including Metro Parks, the Fairdale-Auburndale Business Association, and local elected officials to work together to enhance this corridor to a level of other such gateway communities that serve as entrances to similar scenic and recreational areas. 

Examples from the region include: Nashville, Indiana which is the gateway to Brown County State Park and Hoosier National Forest in south central Indiana and Grand Rivers, Kentucky which is the gateway to Land Between the Lakes Recreation Area in southwestern, Kentucky.

Louisville Metro is working to help make Fairdale even more walkable and bikable with a variety of healthy retail, dining, and other businesses supported by tourists and visitors of the Forest.

Earlier this year, Metro Public Works unveiled a detailed concept plan for the long-awaited improvements to Fairdale’s main intersection.

More recently, Mayor Abramson announced that $2 million has been allocated for construction of a new Fairdale Library branch that will be situated along Manslick Road just a few hundred feet from the proposed roundabout. Finally, Metro Parks has received funding to plan the final route of the Louisville Loop through Fairdale and to the Jefferson Memorial Forest. The loop in this area will be a vital piece of infrastructure connecting residents to the Forest as never before and providing campers, hikers, walkers, bikers, and equestrians access to expanded recreational opportunities.

These improvements will help Fairdale retain its rural character and make the area more attractive and easier to navigate for visitors. The hope is to attract new residents and ultimately support other improvements to enhance the quality of life for residents in the entire area. We want to encourage friends of the Forest to provide input on these planned improvements as opportunities arise.

Please check our website and future newsletters for information on public meetings.

 

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Help us celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month!

By MARGARET BROSKO
Metro Parks Communications Manager
e-mail Margaret

You did what?  That’s the routine question people ask me after I tell them I moved from Grand Canyon National Park to Louisville, Kentucky.  Most of them, probably like yourself, are thinking why would you leave one of the natural wonders of the world. 

Granted, the GCNR (as I like to call it) is one of the greatest places I have lived, but Louisville has its pluses.  We have waterfalls, cool creeks, a mighty river, miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, outdoor entertainment, a great arts community, amazing local restaurants, AAA baseball, shoot even an impressive cemetery.  I could go on forever.  It makes perfect sense to live in Louisville.

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