Ed Perry was at work as a lawyer in the PNC Tower on April 4, 1974 when the famous Louisville tornado struck that day. His home in the Zorn area was undamaged, but quickly became a communication hub for the neighbors as it had one of the only surviving telephone lines. Someone asked Ed if he knew anything about trees…
Fast forward, Perry helped create Trees, Inc. to rebuild Louisville’s tree canopy. The goal was to “plant as many trees as we could.” He estimates planting as many as 5,000 trees throughout the city. When a friend told Ed Cherokee Park was falling apart, Ed decided to leave his lawyer career to give back to his community with a mission to help the parks.
In 1989 Perry helped found the Olmsted Parks Conservancy and was chairman from 1996 to 2000; staying on the Board until 2012. Cherokee Park is still on a pathway to recovery, but it was one that Perry helped set into motion.
To commemorate Ed’s service to the Conservancy, Perry has a bench in Cherokee Park customized with his name. The bench meant so much to him he asked to visit it one last time last year.
Rest in Peace Ed, the Conservancy and Louisville are indebted to you!
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