LOUISVILLE, Ky. — (WHAS11)-Victory Park, a four-acre park located at 1051 S 23rd Street, is the site of a $1.1 million revitalization project that started in 2017.
Thanks to donor support, Olmsted Parks Conservancy and Louisville Parks and Recreation worked closely with the community to create and execute a Master Plan for Victory Park to better serve its residents. The project was divided into two phases:
• Phase one (completed in Spring 2018) relocated the basketball court to the northwest side of the park, creating a larger open area for activities; installed a new walking path (more than a quarter-mile in length) and added lighting, benches and 35 trees to the park. • Phase two, a $640,000 additional park investment, began in Fall 2018 and was completed in July 2019. This included construction of a new playground and sprayground, addition to the lodge to allow a covered picnic area, renovated lodge kitchen, and additional tree planting.
“I'm excited to see the work and energy put forward by the community transformed from a vision to reality here at Victory Park,” said David James, District 6 Councilman. “I'm very thankful to Olmsted Parks Conservancy for their efforts and dedication to Victory Park and the California Neighborhood.”
“We are thrilled to continue our investment in Victory Park, one of the Olmsted Park jewels in our community,” expressed Layla George, President of Olmsted Parks Conservancy. “We are grateful for the support from J. Graham Brown Foundation, Kosair Charities, Brown Forman, and GE Appliances who helped fund the new playground, spray ground and renovated kitchen in the lodge. The Friends of Victory Park group has worked tirelessly alongside our staff to care for and program this park. Victory Park looks better than ever and it’s because of the people who live here.”
“The Olmsted Parks Conservancy and its donors and partners have made a wise investment in west Louisville and the city as a whole with this transformational project in Victory Park,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “I hope it creates a renewed sense of pride in this beautiful Olmsted-designed park, and look forward to seeing the lodge, the playground and sprayground brimming with activity this summer and in the future.”
The project was made possible with support from donors to Olmsted Parks Conservancy’s Campaign for Extraordinary Parks (including Humana Foundation, James Graham Brown Foundation, Kosair Charities, and PNC Foundation), Brown Forman Foundation, GE Appliances, Louisville Parks and Recreation, City of Louisville, Mayor Greg Fischer, and Councilman David James.
You can celebrate the revitalization in a couple of weeks.
Victory Park Day is coming up on Saturday, August 3.
There will be all sorts of activities for families like bounce houses, face painting, and of course great food.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.