Metro Parks operational update (as of 2:25 p.m. Monday, 9/22/08)
Metro Parks crews are working outside of parks to assist with clearing city roads and collecting storm debris; they are addressing conditions within parks as time permits. Utility company representatives are directing Metro Parks crews to locations where dead power lines are tangled in trees, so those streets can be re-opened. Many park offices lack power, although the department’s administrative office in Joe Creason Park (502/456-8100) has power and is open.
Although most of the city’s 123 parks are open, parking areas, walking paths and other amenities may be covered with debris. Most parks have not been inspected for hanging branches, so use caution when entering a park. A list of parks that have sustained major damage is below. Storm debris will not be collected until after all hazardous situations are addressed.
Six Metro Parks have been designated as drop-off sites for residential storm debris -- Cox, Highview, McNeely Lake, Shawnee, Sun Valley and Vettiner. [details and map]
GOLF COURSES
All Metro Parks golf courses and clubhouses are fully operational.
COMMUNITY CENTERS
The department's 17 community centers have re-opened and are operating with regular hours.
ATTRACTIONS
Jefferson Memorial Forest – Welcome Center and Park Offices are open, with electricity. The trails have been mostly cleared of debris and are ready for public use.
Locust Grove – tours resumed on Wednesday. Locust Grove has power.
Louisville Tennis Center in Joe Creason Park – all 11 courts have reopened; there is limited damage to a fence.
Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center – power has been restored; the aquatic center reopened at 1 p.m. Monday. Scheduled swim lessons will resume on Wednesday.
Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing – Electricity has been restored and the welcome center and grounds are open.
PROGRAMS
All Metro Parks adult softball, flag football, and kickball leagues are cancelled for the week. League play will resume on Monday, September 22.
Much of Metro Parks' maintenance and recreation staff do not have e-mail access, even if the power has been restored at their facility.
Because of this, reservations for picnic shelters and lodges, as well as special event permits will be taken at Metro Parks Athletics at 502/456-8171 for the forseeable future. The athletics office is located at the Louisville Tennis Center on Trevilian Way across from the Louisville Zoo.
DAMAGE AT PARKS:
Not a complete list. Most parks have trees and/or limbs down. Restrooms will generally not be in service unless power is available.
Cherokee Park’s Scenic Loop – the driving lane is open. The recreation lane is now clear of debris.
Chickasaw Park -- The park is now open.
Joe Creason Park -- Many trees knocked down, including some along the walking path; damage to the Louisville Tennis Center's fence.
Crescent Hill Park -- A light pole fell through the fence and is now lying on the tennis court.
Carrie Gaulbert Cox -- At the old restroom building, the front corner of the roof is peeled off.
Central Park -- Residents are encouraged to stay out of Central Park, due to fallen trees, limbs and power lines.
Crosby Park -- a tree has fallen on a ballfield fence.
Irish Hill Park -- A large tree fell across the basketball court.
Iroquois Park -- Access to roads throughout the park has largely been restored; the park is open.
Hays Kennedy Park -- A ballfield light pole has fallen.
Long Run Park -- Park is open; trees covering the roadway have been removed.
Northwestern Parkway -- from Shawnee Park north to the Shawnee Golf Course, trees on this parkway sustained heavy damage. At least three 4-foot diameter pin oaks were down in front of the golf course clubhouse.
Otter Creek Park -- Electricity has been restored to the park, which is open. The road between Pine Grove and Blue Hole is closed because of a large downed tree. The Valley Overlook Trail is open.
The mountain bike race scheduled at OCP for Sunday, October 5th is on using a modified course.
For trail updates, visit http://www.louisvilleky.gov/MetroParks/parks/ottercreek/Trail+Conditions.htm
Petersburg Park -- Many trees are down across the park and in the area near the Newburg Community Center. Damage reported to the tennis court fence.
Portland Cemetery -- The cemetery is closed because a large tree has fallen onto the main roadway.
Riverside Gardens Park -- Park is open.
Seneca Park -- The walking path has been cleared of storm-related debris. Running and walking lanes leading to the park still have sections where debris is present. Runners and walkers use caution.
Shawnee Park -- The tree canopy in Shawnee Park has been significantly impacted. Metro Parks' landscape architects estimate that 100 trees are either completely down or will have to be removed.
Stansbury Park -- The tennis court fence has been damaged by a tree at the park.
Sun Valley Park -- Picnic shelter sustained some damage. Normal use at Sun Valley Park is discouraged and will be difficult because it is currently being used as a debris drop-off site. The golf course and community center are available for normal use.
Thurman Hutchins Park -- Tree is blocking and laying on one of the playground pieces at the park.
Upper River Road Bike Path -- blocked by trees.
Waverly Park -- The park is open, but use of mountain biking trails around the park is strongly discouraged. The trails have been significantly impacted by the storm.