Cherokee Park

[Mr Speaks]

Cherokee Park is a 409-acre (1.6 km²) municipal park located in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. It was designed, like 18 of Louisville's 123 public parks, by Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of landscape architecture. Beargrass Creek runs through much of the park, and is crossed by numerous pedestrian and automobile bridges.

According to The Trust for Public Land, Cherokee Park has 500,000 visitors annually, making it the 38th most popular municipal park in the United States.

Official Map of Park

Type Municipal
Location East Louisville, Kentucky
Coordinates 38.241,-85.697
Size 409 acres (1.6 km²)
Opened 1892
Operated by Metro Parks
Status Open



Cherokee Park contains many landmarks and points of interest. Many are self-contained areas within the larger park, set apart from each other by the natural terrain and creative use of landscaping. Because of the size and design of the park, many events can occur at the same time without interrupting each other.

• Big Rock - A large rock in Beargrass Creek, which also lends its name to a picnic area and playground nearby. The rock itself is used for picnics, and as an ill-advised jumping spot (its flat surface offers about an 8-foot (2.4 m) drop into the shallow creek water below).
  
• Scenic Loop - A 2.43 mile (3.9 km) mixed-use road around much of the park, with separate lanes for pedestrians and motorized vehicles[12]
  
• Frisbee Field - A Large open field used for many purposes, most commonly soccer and Ultimate
  
• Baringer Hill - Commonly called "Dog Hill," "Kite Hill," or "Hill Number One." Once popular for kites, after a renovation in the late 1990s it has become better known as a gathering point for dog owners. This occasionally attracts the ire of park visitors who do not appreciate canines, especially those who, in violation of local ordinances, are unleashed. Opening in 2007 is a fenced dog park, located at the top of Cochran Hill.
  
• Hogan's Fountain - A dog- and horse-watering fountain located atop a hill on the Scenic Loop, Hogan's Fountain was financed by the Hogan Family of Anchorage, Kentucky, in 1905. The fountain was sculpted by Enid Yandell, and features the Greek God Pan. It was officially unveiled on August 31, 1905. The name Hogan's Fountain is also often extended to the nearby hilltop area, which includes a large Gazebo, baseball diamond, children's fountains and a basketball court. This spot was once known as Bonnycastle Hill. Hogan's Fountain is a popular place for group meetings, family reunions and picnics.
  
• Lover's Lane - A secluded, heavily forested stretch of scenic loop just past Hogan's Fountain
  
• Cochran Hill - A hillside between Frisbee Field and Lexington Road, and site of a dog park
  
• Christensen Fountain - A recently restored fountain near the Lexington Road entrance
  
• Nettleroth Bird Sanctuary - Located in a quiet corner of the park, between Scenic Loop and a residential neighborhood

Entrances
The park is situated in the Highlands.[12] As the city of Louisville expanded around the park, many developers donated land to the park in exchange for the right to connect roads to it. The numerous entrances have made navigating the park notoriously confusing to visitors. Neighborhoods with entrances to the park include Cherokee Triangle, Bonnycastle, Highlands-Douglass, Crescent Hill and Seneca Gardens.

Features

• Archery range - Near Beals Branch Road
  
• Ballfield - At Hogan's Fountain
  
• Baringer Spring - Rustic stream crossed by several wide wooden bridges and scenic walkways, entrances at
• Frisbee Field and at Baringer Hill
  
• Fullcourt basketball - At Hogan's Fountain
  
• Bike trail - Throughout park, crosses the scenic loop in many places. The scenic loop itself, with two moderately steep hills, is popular with road bikers.
  
• Bridle trail
  
• Golf course & clubhouse (9 holes). Opened in 1907.[13]
  
• Hiking trails - All are mixed use trails
  
• Horseshoe pits - At Hogan's Fountain
  
• Picnic pavilions - Large pagoda-style structure at Hogan's Fountain
  
• Picnic tables - At and near Hogan's Fountain
  
• Playgrounds - At Hogan's Fountain, Big Rock and Baringer Hill
  
• Rugby field - Also used for Frisbee and Soccer
  
• Restrooms - At Baringer Hill, Hogan's Fountain and Big Rock
  
• Spray pool - At Hogan's Fountain
  
• Tennis - Off Barret Hill Road
  
• Willow Pond - Off Grinstead drive, next to golf course
  
• Dog run - Opening August 2007, located atop Cochran Hill
  

Activities

• Big RockWalking/Hiking (see link below)
  
• Running/Jogging (see link below)
  
• Dog Walking (Baringer Hill - aka "Dog Hill")
  
• Bike Riding (trails and road)(see link below)
  
• Fishing (willow pond)
  
• Sledding
  
• Picnics
  
• Baseball
  
• Basketball
  
• Football
  
• Rugby (see link below)
  
• Soccer
  
• Ultimate Frisbee
  
• Archery
  
• Weddings (occasionally)
  
• Live action role-playing