Parks and Recreation System Master Plan Update (2016) parks_and_recreation_system_master_plan_update_oct | Page 33

flood storage during storm events. It has potential for more formal trails and natural areas that
could be managed for wildlife habitat and outdoor adventure activities that meet the deed
restrictions for this land.
Louisville Metro Government also owns several parks in the downtown that are
managed by Metro Public Works: Belvedere/Riverfront Plaza, Fort Nelson, Founders Square, and
Jefferson Square.
Some park land that is owned by Louisville
Metro Government and was formerly managed by
LMPRD is now managed by other entities. The most
notable example is the 685 acres of Louisville
Metro Government-owned parkland that, starting
in 2009, came under management of 21st Century
Parks, Inc. and is included in the overall acreage
figure of 3,700 acres of the Parklands of Floyds
Fork. Approximately 1, 905 acres of the Parklands
land is owned by the land trust Future Fund. All of
Beckley Creek Park, Parklands of Floyds Fork
the 3,700 acres is covered by deed restrictions
requiring the land to be used for public park purposes forever. Another example of this is .29-
acre Warheim Park in the Belknap neighborhood which is owned by Louisville Metro, but
managed by a nonprofit organization.
In 2011 the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife
took over management of the 2,155-acre Otter Creek Park
located in Meade County. In 2014, Louisville Metro
Government transferred Otter Creek Park to the
Commonwealth of Kentucky. The Commonwealth manages
Otter Creek as an outdoor recreation area for fishing,
hunting, camping, biking, horseback riding, paddling, and
other activities.
The Commonwealth also owns and manages the 539-acre E. P.
“Tom” Sawyer Park which includes a swimming pool and bath house,
gymnasium, community room, softball fields (3), soccer fields (10),
multi-purpose fields, tennis courts (12), basketball court, walking
paths, cross country course, BMX track, archery, radio-controlled flying
field, dog run, picnic areas, and volleyball court.
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III. CONTEXT AND COMMUNITY INVENTORY | October 2016 Update