Parks and Recreation System Master Plan Update (2016) parks_and_recreation_system_master_plan_update_oct | Página 520

L. Jefferson Memorial Forest (JMF) (6,633.6 ac.)
Managed by: Natural Areas Division
Jefferson Memorial Forest within the Western Mesophytic Forest region is the largest
urban forest in the US spanning across southern Jefferson and northern Bullitt Counties. A
comprehensive description of JMF natural resources is found in “Jefferson Memorial Forest
Master Plan” (July 2009). One main component of the master plan calls for acquisition of new
parcels as they become available in order to connect and protect the larger ecosystem of JMF.
Many resource master plans have been developed for more recently acquired additions to JMF.
These provide detailed plans for protection and enhancing natural resources within those tracts.
JMF has five management areas, all of which have abundant forests, most of which are
considered to be in a “Recovering Class” forest range between 40 to 80 years old. Smaller
sections of “Maturing Forest” range between 80 to 150 years old, and “Recent Disturbance” at
less than 40 years old. JMF exists today because the steep knobs region topography was too
extreme for other forms of land development, however timber harvests were one way property
owners were able to make use of the land. It is the goal of Metro Parks and Recreation to protect
the forests allowing them to come to maturity and eventually old growth stages.
The Paul Yost Recreation Area has a trailhead parking facility with a picnic area and over
ten miles of hiking/equestrian trails. The Horine Section serves as the main location for
environmental education programming, camping, and festivals within JMF. It has nine miles of
hiking trail. The Tom Wallace Recreation Area features Tom Wallace Lake (5 acres), picnic
shelters and nearly twelve miles of hiking trails. A large portion of Tom Wallace Recreational
Area was designated within the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Natural Areas Registry in 2010.
The Scott's Gap section has a trailhead, four miles of hiking trails, and a picnic area. The most
isolated section of the JMF is Moreman's Hill, which is undeveloped for public use to date, but
will eventually provide an equestrian center, campground and mountain biking trails. In total,
JMF contains over 6,000 acres of forest and 80 acres of riparian areas.
The Natural Areas Division Land Management team, including staff and numerous
volunteers have carried out extensive woodland restoration work throughout JMF. The majority
of this work has been focused on woodland edges, especially around old homesteads and early
successional forests where there tends to be high densities of woody invasive plant species.
Approximately 100 acres are under active management for invasive plant control at JMF.
The JMF is also the ideal habitat for many listed species and ecosystems. One state listed
endangered plant species has been found at JMF, Narrow-leaved Blue Curls (Trichostema
setaceum). Several other listed species should be sought including: the Indiana Bat, Northern
Long-eared Bat, Evening Bat, Louisville Crayfish, Northern Oak Hairstreak, Kirtland's Snake,
Carolina Fanwort, Longleaf Stitchwort, Grassleaf Arrowhead, and the ecosystems of buffer
woods, wildlife corridors, woodland/glady slopes, and barrens and glades.
i. Management prescriptions
The Jefferson Memorial Forest Resource Management Plan was developed in 1995
(JCDPEM, 1995). All desired future conditions, including property acquisition, ecosystem
managements, etc., are spelled out in the document. Therefore, the Jefferson Memorial Forest
Resource Management Plan provides the official guidelines for natural resource planning and
development for the Jefferson Memorial Forest. In addition, resource management plans were
recently developed for specific sections of the Jefferson Memorial Forest by Metro Parks and
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