Shawnee Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shawnee Park |
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Pond and Shelter in Shawnee Park
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| Type | Urban park |
| Location | West Louisville, Kentucky |
| Area | 284 acres (1.15 km2) |
| Created | 1892 |
| Operated by | Louisville Metro Parks |
| Status | Open |
Shawnee Park is a public park located in Louisville, Kentucky. A famous landscape architect named Frederick Law Olmsted designed it. He also designed 17 other parks in Louisville. Shawnee Park, along with other parks designed by Olmsted in the city, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This means it is recognized as an important historical place.
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Park History
Shawnee Park was first suggested in 1890. It was meant to be one of three main parks for Louisville's new park system. These three parks were planned for the edges of the city. Shawnee Park was placed on the western edge, next to the Ohio River.
At that time, the land was mostly used for farms. But it was clear that homes would soon be built there, even without a park. Shawnee Park took the longest to develop compared to the other parks. This was because many landowners wanted more money for their property.
Getting the Land
The city had to legally take ownership of the land for the park. They won their court case in 1895. In 1896, the city started to build ways to get into the park. River Park Drive was paved in 1899. However, the main entrance on Broadway was not finished until 1914.
Building a Golf Course
The Olmsted design team first suggested not building a golf course at Shawnee Park. They were worried about the safety of visitors, especially children. But many people wanted a golf course. So, it was built anyway in 1927.
Park's Impact on Neighborhoods
All three major parks helped new neighborhoods grow nearby. People were so interested that developers started advertising the parks instead of just their new homes. The best prices were for homes near the park that people thought was the nicest. Many housing areas were built near Shawnee Park. The neighborhood itself became known as Shawnee.
Park Access and Changes
From 1924 to 1954, Shawnee Park was legally only for white people. Before that, park workers and police often stopped Black people from entering. The only large park Black people could use was Chickasaw Park, which was nearby. Many people would go through Shawnee Park to reach Chickasaw Park.
Park Features
Shawnee Park has several interesting features for visitors to enjoy.
The Great Lawn
Shawnee Park has a very large open area called the Great Lawn. It is a great spot for big outdoor events. Trees and a circular road surround this main part of the park.
Riverwalk Trail
The Riverwalk Trail passes through Shawnee Park. This trail is a long, mostly flat path for walking or biking along Louisville's waterfront. You can walk about 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) one way from the Belvedere to Shawnee Park on this trail.
Images for kids
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Pond and Shelter in Shawnee Park
See also
