Waterway's
Future Charted
Aim
is to showcase Beargrass Creek's gifts
SCOTT
WADE, The Courier-Journal
Two centuries ago the mouth of Beargrass Creek was a busy port for merchants,
settlers and travelers heading inland.
Louisville leaders hope it can be a bustling place once again - but this
time with nature lovers and people having fun.
Toward that end yesterday, Mayor Dave Armstrong announced key elements of a
plan to restore the Beargrass Creek area near the Ohio River for boating,
biking, hiking and fishing.
Eight months after formation of the Beargrass Creek Restoration Task Force,
Armstrong presented the group's guidelines and the members' vision.
One part calls for buying Towhead Island from Nugent Sand Co., cleaning up the
creek and making the area near the mouth of the creek safe for small
recreational boats.
The plan also calls for finding new ways to use the surrounding land,
particularly a lot leased by the city on the edge of Butchertown where towed
cars are taken.
Armstrong said the city would like to find another place for the cars and use
that area for something more attractive.
One idea, he said, is to create a new residential neighborhood to be a
transition between Butchertown and the recreational area.
Another would be using the land for parking for people who want to reach the
creek or nearby parks - and even for campers or recreational vehicles for
people who want to stay a few days.
Eva Bandman Park, along the Ohio River just upstream from the creek, has
soccer fields now, but the park tends to puddle up in wet weather.
Armstrong said he would like to see the soccer fields moved, allowing the park
to become a natural wetlands. The area is home to a variety of birds, turtles,
deer, muskrats, butterflies and frogs.
One possible location for the fields is the former Frankfort Avenue landfill -
a vacant, weedy area between Frankfort Avenue and Beargrass Creek, north of
Interstate 71.
The first step will be to create a master plan. Depending on how long that
takes, either the city or the new merged city-county government would have to
give its approval, along with the Waterfront Development Corp.
The plan doesn't say where the money would come from, but it mentions various
federal government sources that support transportation and development
projects.
Armstrong said the most important thing now is that community leaders on the
task force have come together on a plan and are eager to begin work.
``It's long overdue,'' said Bill Foster, director of the Louisville
Zoo.
Attention to Beargrass Creek and its surroundings marks a new day, said David
Wicks, director of environmental education for Jefferson County Public
Schools. He envisions children doing research in an area that can support many
types of plants and wildlife.
An early step in the plan is to improve the quality of the creek's water. The
Metropolitan Sewer District, a major partner in the task force, said it has
committed $60 million toward eliminating the pipes that dump storm water and
raw sewage into the creek when it rains.
Meanwhile, engineering work will be undertaken to make boating safe near the
mouth of the creek, and to find ways to keep trash out.
Gary Michael, a biologist and lifelong bird watcher, said yesterday that he
was thrilled with the plan.
``I'm on cloud nine,'' he said, adding that nearly all the ideas he suggested
to the task force about preserving and creating areas for wildlife habitat are
in the plan.
TASK FORCE PROPOSALS
Create a boating channel on Beargrass Creek, from the Metropolitan Sewer
District's pumping station at Story Avenue to the creek's confluence with the
Ohio River. Private companies could rent out small boats or gondolas.
Create a harbor at the mouth of Beargrass Creek to protect boaters
from winds and commercial barge traffic.
Continue attempts to acquire Towhead Island.
Open the area along Beargrass Creek to hikers and others who want to enjoy
nature by creating a trail system connecting the Butchertown Greenway,
Waterfront Park, and the bicycle and pedestrian route to be constructed along
River Road.
Create a master plan for the entire Beargrass Creek area near the river,
including an extended trail system, nature preserve and picnic area.
Study whether the soccer fields can be moved from Eva Bandman Park. If so,
consider transforming the park into a nature area.
Design and construct a system to collect trash from Beargrass Creek.
Seek funding from federal and local governments, as well as private interests.
MAP OF BEARGRASS CREEK AREA TO BE CHANGED FOR PUBLIC USE BY STEVE DURBIN, THE
COURIER-JOURNAL (SEE LIBRARY MICROFILM)
The Beargrass Creek Restoration Task Force suggested making this channel on
the creek suitable for small boats. The group envisions the area being used
for activities like biking, hiking, boating and wildlife-watching.
Mayor Dave Armstrong, right, and task force member Gordon Garner talked about
plans for the creek.