Louisville Loop and the Urban Services Boundary

Smarter Development: More Access, Less Sprawl

Louisville Loop21st Century Parks, Metro Parks and their partners have done a marvelous job in bringing the Louisville Loop to this point. The Loop can be a treasure rivaling Louisville’s original Olmsted parks. As we move forward with the Loop, there are two mistakes that we must avoid. Those mistakes concern sprawl and access.

The Floyd’s Fork section of the Loop must not be permitted to become a sprawl magnet. Louisville has brownfields that need redeveloped. We must focus on in-fill development rather than continue the pattern of sprawl begun in 1950. Before proceeding with the development of the Floyd’s Fork area, we must institute the controls that limit sprawl-generating infrastructure (roads, sewer, electric, gas and other utilities) to the surrounding rural properties. There are already new roads being planned along Floyd’s Fork that, if realized, will open up new areas to sprawl.

All sections of the Loop must be accessable to all of Louisville’s citizens. It will serve well the existing, neighboring communities and the automotive community. It will only serve all of Louisville if public transit is improved significantly. In 2009 TARC has had to raise rates once and cut services twice. Louisville's public transit is getting worse, not better. Acquire/protect the land, but before proceeding with further development of the Floyd’s Fork section of Loop, we must have a realistic plan guaranteeing great public transit access to this wonderful park system.

Other issues raised by development of the Loop concern: 1) the recent closing of urban park facilities (Breslin Park pool) and 2) the future of Otter Creek. There are relationships between these established parks and the Loop. There are questions awaiting answers.