Parks and Recreation System Master Plan Update (2016) parks_and_recreation_system_master_plan_update_oct | Page 44

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Riverview Park
Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing
Floyds Fork
The Floyds Fork corridor possesses a diversity of natural and cultural resources including
steep slopes, woodlands, wildlife, active farmland, scenic vistas, and a rich historic heritage. At
the time of the 1995 Plan, the 102-acre Floyds Fork Park was the only publicly owned park along
Floyds Fork. Since then 685 acres of land was purchased by Louisville Metro Government or
(before merger) Jefferson County along Floyds Fork. Most of the land has now been
incorporated into the Parklands of Floyds Fork which totals approximately 3,600 acres. The
Parklands consists of four parks: Beckley Creek Park, Pope Lick Creek Park, Turkey Run Park and
Broad Run Park. Fisherman’s Park, still within the Metro Parks system, is located approximately
one-third of a mile west of Floyds Fork, consists of a series of small fishing lakes on a tributary
stream. Metro Parks and Kentucky Department of Forestry co-hold a research and conservation
property along Floyds Fork near Fisherville. Metro Park also owns and manages Fairmount Falls,
a scenic property with a waterfall is located on a tributary to Floyds Fork. A private land trust,
Future Fund, has acquired and is negotiating fee simple ownership of, or easements on, several
tracts of land located along the corridor.
In recognition of the special character and
environmental sensitivity of the Floyds Fork corridor, a
Development Review Overlay (DRO) regulation was
approved in 1993 for a district along Floyds Fork from
the Oldham County to the Bullitt County lines. The
regulation identifies certain development activities
which are subject to review and approval by the
Louisville and Jefferson County Planning Commission to
determine potential effects on the environment. The
“Floyds Fork DRO Guidelines” were adopted in
conjunction with the regulation. The guidelines consist
of standards to be followed by new development to
protect sensitive resources such as stream corridors,
trees and vegetation, and historic features. For example,
the guidelines specify that a minimum buffer strip of
100 feet should be maintained on each side of Floyds
Fork and a 50-foot wide strip should be maintained
along each side of major tributaries.
Fairmount Falls
The Floyds Fork Watershed is the largest watershed in Louisville and is approximately
122 square miles. As of 2014, less than 4% of the watershed consists of impervious surfaces.
Floyds Fork is the least urban of Louisville’s watersheds and remains the least impacted of all the
Parks and Recreation System Master Plan | III. CONTEXT AND COMMUNITY INVENTORY
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