What Your Gift Will Make Happen
With your help, The Fork will produce many benefits including:
Improving Quality of Life and Wellness with Well-designed Accessible Spaces
The Fork will provide well-designed outdoor spaces for family recreation, individual enjoyment, group outings and activities. This project will create one of the finest and most exciting new parks systems in the country providing wellness, environmental protection and economic benefits for present and future generations to enjoy. The easily accessible parks will provide a catalyst for enhanced wellness (physical and mental well-being) for adults and children, provide countless opportunities for contemplative space and ultimately improved quality of life for the people of the region. Recreational and contemplative planned amenities include:
- 20 miles of the multi-use Louisville Loop
- Paved trails for street biking
- Challenging trails for mountain biking
- Modern children's playgrounds
- Current and future multi-use ball fields
- Various walking loops throughout the park
- Diverse trails for beginner and advanced hiking
- Convenient canoe launches and landings along the preserved water trail
- Horseback riding trails
- Facilities for family picnic, group outings and unique camping grounds
- Handicap accessible scenic viewpoints
- Easily accessible fishing holes
- A beautiful park drive
Enhancing the Environment
A Rich Resource
We have preserved over 3,200 acres of land and the Master Plan allocates 80% of those lands to the following natural habitat:
- Almost 2000 acres of forestland
- Over 400 acres of restored native meadowlands
- Over 50 acres of restored wetlands
- Over 7 miles of restored stream banks
- Conversion of almost 400 acres to support sustainable agriculture
- Hundreds of acres of newly restored bottomland riparian forest along 20 miles of Floyds Fork
Teeming with Life
We will protect and enhance the landscape for the countless species of plants and animals now living in and along The Fork including:
- 25 species of reptiles and amphibians
- Over 40 species of fish
- 17 species of rare freshwater mussels
- Federally endangered gray and Indiana bats
- 19 species of mammals including river otters, flying squirrels, mink and beaver
- 138 species of birds
- 450 species of native plants including the state-endangered Kentucky glade cress
A Plan for Improvement
We will monitor water quality and restored wetlands and eroded stream banks in order to first stabilize and then improve the water quality and ecological function of Floyds Fork. We will develop an interpretive framework for the natural and cultural history of the parklands and partner with local and regional educators to make Louisville one of the finest places in the country for outdoor, environmental and scientific education.
Contributing to our Economic Growth
Keeping Talented People Here and Attracting New Ones
Through this project, we will more effectively plan for and shape the character and livability of the city and its expansion.
The Fork builds upon one of Louisville's greatest assets, its parks and neighborhoods, strategically distinguishing Louisville among its peer cities. This project is already attracting national attention and will ultimately, as part of the Metro Louisville's City of Parks initiative, strengthen one of our city's most important competitive advantages. The addition of these beautiful parks and trails will enhance the quality of life and help our community and economy grow in ways that are healthful, sustainable and enjoyable. Reflecting our remarkable reputation as a great place to live, this project will become a powerful vehicle for attracting and retaining individuals, families, and companies, contributing to a vibrant future for our community and our children.