between the neighborhoods in the Highlands and the approximate 400-acre park designed as one of Louisville ’ s original parks by Frederick Law Olmsted . On the eastern side of the Cherokee Park lie the theological campuses of the Louisville Presbyterian Seminary and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary . Cherokee Park serves as a key alternative transportation connection to the Ohio River with off-road routes through the park and the Beargrass Creek Greenway .
Community Facility Destinations w / in 1 Mile of Olmsted Parkways segment :
• 53 Neighborhoods
• 37 schools
• 5 Community Centers
• 35 public parks
• 2 public libraries
Challenges : When Olmsted designed his Grand Boulevard concept for the parkways , he had the foresight to design for different modes of transportation . Years of encroachment and a loss of the original vision have created design challenges for a modern shared-use path system . Encroachments are a significant issue on all parkways . They include parking , unauthorized paving , curb cuts , structures , excess signage , and unauthorized planting on parkway property . Private encroachments reduce the green ribbon and interrupt the visual character these green spaces are intended to create . Key crossings with railroads , busy intersections , and interstate add design challenges for non-motorized users . I-264 crosses the Parkways at Eastern , Algonquin , and Southern Parkways creating major impediments to efficient and comfortable bicycle and pedestrian movements . High speed traffic and several free flow entry and exit ramps at both freeway connections and some major street intersections . This makes on-street bicycle traffic viable for only the most experienced and intrepid cyclists .
Opportunities : The Olmsted Parkways Shared-Use Path System as it connects at the University of Louisville is perhaps the most critical connection point for the city as part of the Louisville Loop system . Some of the city ’ s highest population densities and concentrations of work sites and education campuses are directly adjacent to the Parkways . The conceptual design outlined in the Master Plan provides linear multi-modal corridors with park-like character that connect the great Olmsted parks and over 24 neighborhoods in urban Louisville . In the spirit of Olmsted ’ s philosophy of designing settings to “ refresh and delight the eye , the mind and the spirit ”, a connected path system for bicyclists and pedestrians along the Olmsted Parkways is paramount for addressing Louisville ’ s need to provide a healthy , safe , and connected urban environment .
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