In 2020, Olmsted Parks Conservancy, along with Louisville Parks and Recreation worked with Taylor Siefker Williams and Gresham Smith to develop a master plan for Elliott Park.
The development of the Elliott Park Master Plan builds on Olmstedian design principles to rethink a community park in a contemporary context. The project team utilized an inclusive, community-led process to inform the recommendations of this plan so future park development responds to the community’s needs and ambitions.
Olmsted parks are designed to bring people closer to their environments and each other. The design of these spaces creates unique experiences that transcend daily life and evoke positive responses.
The original Olmsted plan provides guidance to the intended purpose of the park: create a civic-oriented community space where people of all ages can commune and enjoy a variety of activities. For the purposes of this plan, the design team has taken the approach of examining the role of a park as providing equity, accessibility, and sustainability.
Elliott Park was designed by the Olmsted Brothers firm in 1908. But before that, the park had a rich history of baseball. Fleet Walker, the first black player in the Major Leagues played there in 1884. The Eclipse baseball team called Elliott Park home beginning in 1882 and the Louisville Slugger made its debut there. The history and usage today is just as vibrant and rich.
Elliott Park is home to the Louisville Gators pee wee football team and you can find them practicing any Tuesday and Thursday evening under the watchful eye of Coach Keyon Biggers. Stop by on a Tuesday evening and you will catch an old group of friends tuning their bikes for a long ride through the city. Most days you will see neighbors gathered around the south end of the park playing horseshoes and grilling out. During the day, seniors from Elder Serve walk the path for exercise under the shade of the mature oak trees while children can be found playing on the playground. Elliott Park is well loved and well used by those who call this corner of Russell home.
After many meetings with those park users, we have created a plan for Elliott Park that reflects the history of the park balanced with the current needs of the park users.
Olmsted Parks Conservancy is currently raising funds to bring this project to fruition. Louisville Metro has allocated $650,000 in FY22 Budget for the implementation of the Elliott Park Master Plan and Olmsted Parks Conservancy is currently raising funds to match that amount for a total project cost of $1.3 million. For more information, or to donate, please contact info@olmstedparks.org.
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