LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville is on a mission to make its 120 parks safer and is introducing a new program to make it happen.
Metro Parks has launched their park ranger program which enhances accessibility and health of the parks.
Mayor Craig Greenberg called the move “crucial” and while saying it will increase “positive activation” of public spaces. He believes having rangers will reduce acts of vandalism, illegal dumping and unlawful activities.
"By ensuring parks are accessible and safe, we’re also creating a safer, stronger and healthier city for all Louisvillians," he said in a statement.
Louisville was one of ten global cities selected in 2023 for the Bloomberg Harvard Cross Boundary Collaboration Program. It enhances park safety through cross agency partnerships like LMPD and Metro Parks and Recreation.
A pilot program was initiated in Iroquois Park and demonstrated the benefits of enforced park hours from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
The Metro Council and Greenberg worked together to pass a budget in June with $300,000 in funding for the park ranger program. With the evaluation data collected in the pilot program, the city said its ready to hire their first ranger.
Bridget Frailley with Louisville Parks and Rec says the ranger will be fully equipped to take on the job.
"We can hire one person at this time because we want him/her to be in a fully equipped police vehicle and able to react and enforce any kind of issues," she said. She also added the ranger will be park for the Parks and Rec department, not LMPD.
LMPD says data shows there is a drop in illegal activity when parks have a police presence. Lieutenant Caleb Stewart said, "Officers spoke with 157 people that they found after hours, and over 98% of them were not seen in the park again in violation to the park hours."
Those interested in applying for senior park ranger will have a short window to apply before the application process closes.
What will the senior ranger do?
According to Parks and Recreation, the chosen candidate will manage the Park Ranger program, park security and enforcement of laws and ordinances relating to facilities and public spaces. The senior ranger will also be responsible for developing protocols, procedures, and policies for the work unit.
The position's starting pay is $36.34 per hour.
Qualifications
You must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent along with five years of experience as a law enforcement officer, including two years of management experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Applicants must also be KY POPS certified (Kentucky Police Officer Professional Standards).