LOUISVILLE, Ky. — City officials broke ground on a $2.9 million project in Elliott Park Tuesday that will transform the historic green space in the Russell neighborhood.
The restoration includes a new playground, field house, picnic facilities, walking paths, and sprayground. According to a news release, the design will improve accessibility for people of all abilities, cater to all park users and be flexible for various activities and gathering sizes, and improve existing amenities.
The park restoration has been in the making for several years.
Officials said Olmsted Parks Conservancy worked with park neighbors and stakeholders in 2020 to create a "community-informed vision" for Elliott Park’s future. The conservancy then worked to formalize the master plan for the park.
“The residents of this neighborhood deserve to have access to safe, clean and fun public spaces and I can’t wait to see the completed project," Mayor Craig Greenberg said.
The news release says funding for the Elliott Park restoration comes from Olmsted Parks Conservancy, city budget allocations and the American Rescue Plan (ARP).
Officials said Olmsted Parks Conservancy raised $725,000 from local donors, and Louisville matched the conservancy’s investment with a $650,000 capital allocation in former Mayor Greg Fischer’s fiscal year 2022 budget. Fischer then allocated another $500,000 in ARP funding and in 2023 Metro Council approved another $1.1 million to complete the project.
“Elliott Park is one of 17 parks in Louisville’s Olmsted Park System, a network of green spaces that bring nature into the city,” Layla George, Olmsted Parks Conservancy President and CEO, said. “The Olmsted Brothers developed Elliott Park according to Frederick Law Olmsted’s vision of accessible green space as the antidote to urban living. This transformative project will re-establish Elliott Park as a Russell landmark for community building and outdoor recreation.”
Elliott Park is located two blocks from the new West Louisville Norton Hospital and Goodwill Opportunity Campus.
The project is expected to be completed within the next year.
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