Louisville Loop Master Plan loopmasterplan_draft_041813sm_0 | Page 25

The Pond Creek Corridor Shared-use Path and Eco-
logical Restoration Plan (2011)
The Pond Creek Corridor plan examined
the best location for the Loop alignment
beginning at the southern end of the future
extension of the Ohio River Levee Trail
on Watson Lane and ending at National
Turnpike and Fairdale Road in Fairdale,
a direct distance of just over 9 miles. The
study area for the shared-use path portion
of the project included a 2-mile-wide region
centered on the Metro Park’s preferred route, which was identified in the 2009 Pond
Creek and Mill Creek Recreational Concept Plan.
The Plan included a conceptual analysis of the possible shared-use path align-
ments within the Pond Creek corridor along with the identification of potential
ecosystem restoration opportunities along Pond Creek and initial determination on
of environmental, cultural, historical, and archaeological resources within the path
and ecosystem restoration zones.
Three distinct options for aligning a shared-use path from Watson Lane to National
Turnpike were developed based on feedback from a series of public meetings,
Metro Parks staff input, and sub-route analysis. The alignments were assembled
using the best of the 49 sub-routes. The alignments take different approaches to
crossing major barriers, such as the Dixie Highway and the Gene Snyder Freeway.
Each alignment has positives and negatives, striking different balances between
user experience, safety, cost, land acquisition, and environmental sensitivity. A
preferred route will be developed during a design and construction phase of the
project.
Louisville Greenways – South Points: A Greenways
Master Plan for South and Southwest Louisville
(2012)
The South and Southwest Greenway Master Plan was undertaken by Louisville
Metro in December 2010 as a first step toward creating a system of shared-use
paths and soft-surface trails that would encourage people to improve their fitness
and health by exploring the region’s natural and historic resources and using travel
ways for non-motorized transportation. The master plan was funded through a
federal grant by the Centers for Disease Control. The plan’s study area encom-
passed a broad area over 98 square miles in the
southwestern portion of Louisville.
The 14-month period to develop the plan included
a comprehensive inventory and analysis of the
area’s historic, archeological, cultural, biological,
and natural resources to assess the opportunities
and constraints associated with the development
of a greenway network. It included significant
public input including several public meetings,
workshops, focus group discussions with various
stakeholders including youth, community survey,
and detailed discussions with a Technical Advisory
Group. In addition, the project team reviewed
several existing studies review to gather information and recommendations from
previous work to be incorporated in the recommendations, where feasible.
Several key goals and objectives were developed to guide the planning process.
They were divided into the following categories: recreation and alternative trans-
portation; safety; fitness, health and quality of life; environmental stewardship; and
improving economic health. At completion of the inventory and analysis phase, the
project team developed a hierarchy of alternative paths and trails to meet the goals
and objectives of the master plan. Special considerations were given to ecologi-
cally, historically and culturally sensitive areas. Routes were located to provide
connections to the Louisville Loop, neighborhoods, schools and business centers
as well as area parks.
In addition to the alternative routes map, the Master Plan provides several key
resources for implementing the southwestern system and beyond. There are
detailed guidelines for such elements as facility design guidelines, marketing and
branding guidelines, preliminary costs estimates, and general criteria for prioritizing
the construction of paths and trails. An operations and management plan within the
Master Plan has specific application for the South and Southwest Greenways, but
may be used as a guideline establishing O&M practices for all trails and paths in
Louisville, including the Louisville Loop.
Northwestern Parkway Livability Plan (2012)
The Livability Plan is the result of an opportunity made available to two Louisville
neighborhoods, Shawnee and Portland, as part of the $7.9 million obesity-pre-
vention grant received by the city of Louisville from the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for its
Lousville Loop Master Plan
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