Olmsted Parks Conservancy opens new interpretive trail with grant from Cotton + Allen

On May 23, 2007, Olmsted Parks Conservancy, working with Metro Parks, opened a newly restored park area and trail in Cherokee Park off Barney Drive, complete with trail signs for walkers and hikers to learn about Kentucky's diversity of native wildflowers and trees. The Wildflower Woods trail is part of the Olmsted Parks Conservancy's $5 million Woodlands Restoration Project to restore Cherokee and Seneca Parks to their original beauty.

The parks still bear the effects of the devastating 1974 tornado that toppled hundreds of trees, leaving the park ground exposed to invasive, non-native plants that are now choking trees and smothering native wildflowers.

This restoration is a joint effort of Metro Parks, Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Wild Ones volunteer group, many individual and family volunteers. This has resulted in massive removal of invasive plants and repairing and rebuilding trails to prevent erosion of the area. After two years of restoration efforts this area is opening as an interpretive walking trail. "With the efforts of many individuals and organizations we are now seeing wildflowers growing here again that were cataloged over 60 years ago," stated Bill Juckett, Olmsted Parks Conservancy chairman of the board.

To complete this area, Cotton + Allen donated funds for the Conservancy to install two limestone trail head signs and 19 interpretive signs along the trail. These signs point out the many beautiful wildflowers that are now growing because of the invasive plant removal. There are several signs calling attention to many native trees, including a 100-year-old Tuliptree.

"We have always been committed to improving the quality of life in Louisville," said Gwen Tilton, Cotton + Allen officer and director. "Both Cotton + Allen and the Olmsted Parks Conservancy have strong roots in Louisville and we see this partnership as an investment in our city to preserve our heritage for future generations."

For more information, contact Liz DeHart, director of Marketing and Communications for Olmsted Parks Conservancy, at (502) 456-8125, (502) 456-3260 or liz.dehart@olmstedparks.org or visit www.olmstedparks.org or www.cottonandallen.com.

A press conference was held on May 23 to unveil a newly restored park area and trail in Cherokee Park.  Speakers included, from left, Bill Juckett, chairman of the board, Olmsted Parks Conservancy; Marty Storch, assistant director, Metro Parks; and Gwen Tilton, CPA, partner at Cotton + Allen. 

Gwen Tilton, CPA, a partner at Cotton + Allen, speaks at the press conference.