Louisville Loop Master Plan loopmasterplan_draft_041813sm_0 | Page 9

and approach to:
• Improve mobility for non-motorized travel for pedestrians, bicyclists,
transit users and equestrians
• Connect neighborhoods, schools, parks, workplaces and shopping areas
to the Loop
• Encourage a wide range of users including families, children, people with
disabilities, and athletes to improve health and fitness
• Celebrate the natural and cultural history of Louisville
• Enrich our lives with public art
• Serve as a catalyst for economic development by increasing property
values near the Loop, encouraging tourism and providing amenities for
neighborhoods and workplaces near the trail.
• Be an essential component for the growth and prosperity of the Region.
A critical element to its success will be the coordination of many public
agencies and private partners to assure the mission and vision of the
Loop.
The Louisville Loop Master Plan supports successful implementation of the project,
cohesive treatment of the facility and integration with all aspects of Louisville’s
built environment as it informs the progress and possibilities for Louisville and the
region.
Benefits of the Louisville Loop
Over recent decades, shared-use trail projects across the country have yielded
multiple benefits. It is critical in the planning and implementation of the Loop to
understand the various and often interconnected benefits of urban trails. This
understanding gives decision makers leverage to capitalize on other related op-
portunities (e.g. real estate, health, tourism, etc.) and maximize otherwise limited
funding. A project like the Louisville Loop does affect the sustainability of a city’s
economic, environmental, and social health. These benefits include:
• Community Engagement
• Health and Wellness
• Economic and Transportation
• Environmental and Conservation
Community Engagement Benefits
Over the past 120 years park and parkway systems such as Boston’s Emerald
Necklace and Louisville’s Olmsted Parks and Parkways have proven that this
type of public investment is sustainable infrastructure that connects communities
through safe and inviting facilities. Shared-use paths along these corridors provide
the opportunity for residents to circulate in urban, suburban and rural areas in a
safe, efficient, and fun way. Designed appropriately, these facilities link residen-
tial areas to parks, schools, workplaces, transit, and activity centers that provide
goods and services. As a venue for recreation and transportation, trails and
greenways serve communities as sites for community events and celebrations. In
many communities across America, these types of facilities are becoming the new
“front porches” of many communities. They provide the opportunities for families
to spend “quality time” outside the household in a safe and inviting environment.
These positive life-long experiences can serve all generations of a community and
aid in overall well-being.
By capitalizing on the unique characteristics of place, a community can use trails
and greenways to improve the quality and enhance its overall character. They
provide friendly places to meet and socialize with neighbors and can be a source
of neighborhood, community, and regional pride. Louisville has the opportunity to
celebrate and connect the community to its cultural heritage of its natural and built
environment by capitalizing on the Loop’s alignment through historic and natural
areas such as the Ohio River waterfront, th e Jefferson Memorial Forest and the
Floyds Fork watershed. All of these connections promote a sense of place and
contribute to a safe and cohesive community.
Health and Wellness Benefits
The U.S. Surgeon General stated in a 1996
report on physical activity and health that
at least 30 minutes of moderate activity per
day will reduce people’s risks of such chronic
conditions such as coronary heart disease,
hypertension, colon cancer, and diabetes.
Promoting physical activity among children
and adults has become a national priority
and is an important strategy for reversing
the obesity epidemic. Several studies have
found that people get more physical activity
if they have good access to specific places
to exercise such as parks and trails. Residents with access and the choice to
use safe places to be active, such as trails, within walking distance (typically 10
minute walk) of their home are more likely to meet the recommended 30 minutes of
Lousville Loop Master Plan
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