July 2008

Over 3,500 Trees Planted

Thank you Donors! Over the last year, Olmsted Parks Conservancy and Metro Parks have planted more than 3500 trees in Cherokee and Seneca Parks and along park boundary roads-all made possible by the tremendous response to our Woodlands Restoration Campaign!

It's hard to believe it's been almost 35 years since the big tornado hit Louisville and destroyed thousands of houses and trees. In Cherokee and Seneca Parks, the devastation from the tornado continues due to the growth of invasive species. After many large trees were destroyed and the tree canopy lost, the flood of sunlight allowed numerous species of invasive vines, shrubs, trees and herbaceous plants to establish. The vines have overwhelmed young trees; shrubs, such as Bush Honeysuckle, grow so aggressively they out compete native species.

After the Conservancy's woodlands crew eradicates invasive plants, it is important to plant native trees in the newly cleared space. But, replanting these trees isn't just about replacement-- it's about the need to rebuild the framework of trees to protect the woodland areas. We do this by planting a variety of native trees like Oaks for the tall shade canopy and Ohio Buckeye for a mid-story cover, all too properly shade the ground and nurture native plant communities. The Conservancy is committed to the success of these nearly 50 species of trees and will maintain them until they become established and self sustaining.

As the old saying goes: "Wise are they who plant a tree under whose shade they will never sit." Not all of us will witness the full benefits of these trees; tomorrow's generation, though, will enjoy our parks and what we plant today. If you would like to help support the future of our parks and the Woodlands Restoration Campaign, please call 456-8125.

Mrs. Sally Brown, Recipient of the 2008 Olmsted Award

Olmsted Parks Conservancy is proud to announce that Sally Brown is the 2008 recipient of its Frederick Law Olmsted Award for Outstanding Leadership. As a preserver, protector and eco-ambassador, Sara "Sally" Shallenberger Brown has made conservation her life's work.

A force of nature herself, she has been involved in countless organizations, including the United Nations and Natural Resources Defense Council. Locally, Mrs. Brown has helped transform Locust Grove into a national historic landmark. She is a major supporter of the Waterfront Park project and the 21st Century Parks effort, the biggest parks project anywhere in the United States. She continues to forge an indelible mark on Kentucky and the hearts of its residents.

For all her environmental contributions-at home and across the globe-Mrs. Brown has been selected for the Frederick Law Olmsted Award. She continues to forge an indelible mark on Kentucky and the hearts of its residents. Previous winners of the award have included David and Dan Jones, Bill Samuels, and Minx Auerbach.

SAVE THE DATE!

Join us to honor Sally Brown, recipient of the 2008 Frederick Law Olmsted Award for Distinguished Leadership, at the 10th Annual Halloween Ball at The Olmsted, Saturday, October 25. Call us at502.456.8125 for more information.

Iroquois Park Trail and Slope Stabilization Demonstration Project

Iroquois Park is an historic urban woodland park consisting of 739 acres of mostly forested landscape on steep hillsides with fragile soils. Many of the historic and natural features of the park have become deteriorated as a direct result of the intense impact of park visitors on the fragile soils and steep slopes.

The north end of the park, a popular destination for park users, highlights a unique overlook with sweeping views of downtown Louisville. The historic access to the Northern Overlook was via Corbly Path with an additional path constructed in the late 1980's.Unfortunately over the years both trails have become severely eroded and virtually non-functional presenting a real danger to park users. Metro Parks has attempted to close off the paths but to no avail as users continue to carve rogue paths, worsening conditions.

Recognizing this problem, Olmsted Parks Conservancy applied for and received a Federal EPA grant to address the erosion issue for the historic Corbly Path. The goal of this project is to restore the path to a sustainable condition utilizing natural trail stabilization techniques. This will provide park users safe and enjoyable access to the Northern Overlook. In addition to stabilizing the Corbly Path, several erosion gullies that have developed on the western slope as a result of concentrated storm water from the Northern Overlook. These measures should reduce soil loss from the area and improve waterquality throughout the watershed.

Over the next several months, Olmsted Parks Conservancy and Metro Parks will work with consultants on selection of slope stabilization techniques with construction to start in early 2009.An important part of the project, post-construction data collection, will help determine best practices for future stabilization needs such as rebuilding the switchback trail leading to Northern Overlook.

You can check our website www.olmstedparks.org for updates to this important project.

Thank you Members!

Thank you to all our wonderful members! You have helped us get closer to our goal of 1000 members this year. Right now we are over 800 and we need 200 more members to reach our goal.

Free Hat!

If you're not a member yet, sign up before September 1 and receive a free Olmsted Parks Conservancy hat along with your regular membership benefits.

1000th Member!

Be our 1000th member and we'll plant a tree in your name.

The membership program helps support our operations so we can do projects like the play-all playground in Iroquois Park, pavilion restoration in Shawnee Park, tree planting on the Parkways, trail building in Cherokee Park.

Sign-up today at olmstedparks.org. Thank you for your support. Olmsted Parks Conservancy members receive these exclusive benefits:

Vistas e-newsletter with updates on our activities
Olmsted Parks poster with beautiful scenic design
Discounts to musical performances and other park events

Welcome New Trustees

With great enthusiasm, we welcome five new members to our 2008 Board of Trustees. Robert Auerbach has been a serial entrepreneur starting a successful chain of natural food stores in 1977 which continue to thrive today. He has been in the toy business since 1986, when he founded K & A Design Group. He started CandyRific in 2000 which is a confectionery company that combines toys with confections in unique and exciting ways. CandyRific is on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing companies in the USA for 2006 and 2007. Rob and his wife Pumpkin live in LaGrange and the Highlands.

John O'Callaghan is a Managing Partner for Eval-U-Safe, a company that allows aging adults to continue to live safely in their homes by providing safety evaluations and installation of necessary home modifications. John grew up in the Highlands and is an avid park user. He has served as an ad-hoc member of the Conservancy's Development Committee since 2004. John and his wife Heather and their two sons reside in Indian Hills.

Charles W. Schnatter is Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Papa John's International where he oversees domestic franchising, acquisitions and divestitures. During his tenure with the company, Papa John's has grown from one restaurant to over 3,200 restaurants in 50 states and 28 international markets. Chuck, his wife Ginger and his four sons reside in Anchorage, and they are avid users of Seneca and Cherokee Parks.

Lee Tatum is Vice President, Chief of Staff, Office of the Vice Chairman at Brown-Forman, where he has held a variety of sales, marketing and leadership roles since 1996. Lee currently serves on several internal boards and committees at Brown-Forman. He chaired the company's 2007 Metro United Way campaign which raised nearly $940,000. Lee resides in Anchorage with his wife Jenny and their two children.

Morgan Ward is a partner in the business litigation group at Stites and Harbison, where he has been employed since 1989. A graduate of Davidson College and the UK Law School, Morgan is the former Chair of the Legal Aid Board and serves on the Louisville Bar Association Board. He and his wife Shelly and their two sons reside in Prospect.

Volunteer Highlight

Janet Dakan became a member of Olmsted Parks Conservancy in 2004, and began volunteering in our office in the fall of 2007.In just six months she has volunteered 326hours, which is a Conservancy record! Janet has helped in many ways, including tidying up our donor database, a painstaking task that she tackled with enthusiasm. Of her time with the Conservancy, Janet says she enjoys the variety of tasks, feeling of accomplishment, and the friendly atmosphere. She sees the Olmsted parks as an important ecological, social and recreational resource for our community.

Janet is an active member of the community, volunteering for several other organizations, including the Metropolitan Housing Coalition and YMCA Safe Place. In her spare time, she enjoys short walks around Tyler Park, listening to classical and jazz music, and playing with her cat Gabby.

The staff of Olmsted Parks Conservancy is delighted to have Janet in our midst, and we thank her for her service, generosity and friendship.