There’s no place quite like your local park to spend a warm spring afternoon. But with so many beautiful parks to choose from in Louisville, how will you decide where to spend the next sunny day?
We recently asked our Twitter followers to shed some light on their favorite parks and participate in a series of polls which ranked local parks. Whether you voted in the polls or already have your favorite park picked out, our results are sure to help you plan your next sunny outdoor adventure.
Which local park has the best playground for children 10 and under?
Baxter Square Park
Algonquin Park
Floyds Fork Park
Image: Floyds Fork Park
And the winner is Floyds Fork Park! With abundant clean and sturdy jungle gyms and swing sets, plus a fun and exciting "spray ground," this park is every kid’s dream. Bring a swimsuit and your running shoes on this park trip, your kid will definitely be using both.
Which local park is the best for live action role playing (LARP)?
Iroquois Park
Central Park
Castlewood Park
Image: Iroquois Park
No surprise here, Iroquois Park takes the win for this one. The spacious lawns of this southern Louisville park have served as a magical haven to LARPers for years, providing plenty of space for any activity imaginable.
Which local park is the best for outdoor...romance
Cherokee Park
Central Park
Fairmont Falls
To be clear, we're not recommending indecent exposure. But if you grew up in Louisville, you made out in a park, so don't get all outraged and hypocritical. Though Fairmont falls is certainly romantic and Central Park is secluded by plenty of shade trees, Cherokee Park was the winner of this poll. Whether you’re looking for a romantic picnic site, or you’re getting wild in the wilderness, Cherokee Park seems like the perfect place.
Which is the best local park for jogging, running and walking?
Falls of the Ohio
Iroquois Park
Cane Run Park
Image: Iroquois Park
Iroquois Park proved its excellence once again by winning this poll as well. Its scenic walking trails stretch for miles, making this park one of Louisville’s most popular destinations for outdoor exercise and also the location of several mini-marathons throughout the year.
Which is the best local park for day-drinking?
Waterfront Park
Riverside Gardens
Shelby Park
Image: Urbanparkland.blogspot.com
Again, to be clear, we're not recommending you do anything illegal, like say, drinking with an open container in a public park. But I think we can all admit that we’ve had a few at Waterfront Park once or twice in our lives, which is likely why it won this poll. What’s better that soaking up the sun near the river on one of this park’s benches while downing a cold one? Plus Waterfront often hosts events where alcohol is available for purchase, so you can legally get your drink on.
Which local dog park is the most exciting for our furry friends?
Toonerville Trolley Park
Cochran Hill Dog Park
Sawyer Dog Park
Image: Gublog.co.uk
Sawyer Dog Park won this round, and for wonderful reasons. This park is divided into a section for small dogs, and another for big dogs, making canine socialization safer and more fun. And with plenty of onsite parking and shade trees, this park makes for a relaxing day for both dogs and humans.
If your favorite local park wasn’t on the list, be sure to mention it in the comments section. Also be sure to follow Louisville.com on Twitter to vote in future polls!
Image: Joe Hayden Realty
