To learn more , please visit riverheritageconservancy . org and originpark . org
RESTORING NATURE
Origin Park will " showcase " the Ohio River and the rich history of the area while restoring the land , Schnurbusch said .
" We ' re looking at an area of Southern Indiana that was abused in many ways ," he said . " It ' s got brownfields , it ' s got landfills and things like that . You ' ve got erosion that ' s happening along the shoreline . We ' re providing an opportunity , a project that ' s going to help restore that and make it useful for the people of this region ."
Visitors will be able to enjoy woodland trails filled with wildlife , including more than 275 species of birds that have been documented in the area . The park is also designed to be open year-round even during flood season .
A TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECT
Origin Park will be " like a pebble dropped in a pond with all these ripple effects that are transformational ," Rademacher said . “ It will break down barriers as it ties together communities in Southern Indiana and Louisville . It will present significant benefits to surrounding communities .”
Beck described Origin Park as both a neighborhood park and a destination park .
" We already know that people are buying property or renovating houses and choosing to live in this area because Origin Park is under development ," she said . " It will make a tremendous difference to people ' s health and wellbeing living close to Origin Park ."
The park will also draw in tourism , serving as a " magnet " for people to explore the region .
" When they ' re here , they ' re going to want to explore New Albany ," Rademacher said . " They ' re going to want to get candy in downtown Jeffersonville . They ' re going to want to understand the Falls of the Ohio . Origin Park will be a magnet and kind of a locus for people to be here with this incredible attraction and also explore our wonderful region ."
Schnurbusch is excited to see where the project leads .
Beck said the land provides challenges and unique opportunities . " It ' s inside the levee , so it ' s problematic and needs a lot of work ," he said . " I told my wife , the last park I worked on from scratch . This one , we have a lot of work to do to get to scratch . We ' re not to scratch yet , but that ' s good because that ' s why that land is available .”
SEE YOU IN THE PARK !
To learn more , please visit riverheritageconservancy . org and originpark . org