How to adopt a park in Derby City

It’s easy as one, two, tree.

LOUtoday_Gnadinger Park

Gnadinger Park, a tiny park in Germantown, is one of many parks available for adoption.

Photo by LOUtoday

Louisville Parks and Recreation manages 120 parks and six parkways totaling 13,000+ acres of land across Derby City — and thanks to Metro’s Adopt-A-Park program, you can help the department keep them in tip-top shape.

Adopt-A-Park is a free stewardship program that connects corporate and community partners with a park property to take care of for a year.

Adoption partners perform routine maintenance, like trash removal and landscape care + work on four projects throughout the year at their park. Think: mulching trees, structure repairs, and upgrades. Plus, supplies needed for service work are provided by Metro Parks.

Last fall, Adopt-A-Park partners Essentra Components and Equifax spruced up Riverview and Des Pres Parks + Midea helped sand and paint picnic tables and pruned trees at Hounz Lane Park.

Currently, there are 25 adopted parks. Here are just a few of the current partnerships:

  • Cherokee Park and St. Francis High School
  • Camp Taylor Park and Starbucks
  • Wayside Park and Louisville Bicycle Club
  • Central Park and Old Louisville Neighborhood Council

There are plenty of parks left to adopt, from neighborhood parks less than 20 acres to major urban parks ranging from 100 to 1,000 acres. Check them all out on this interactive map.

Ready to become a proud park parent? Local businesses, schools, neighborhood groups, and other community organizations can apply to adopt a park of their choosing and can renew their adoption annually.