When I start to think about summer sports that dominated my childhood here in Louisville, a couple things come to mind: pickup basketball with the mantra “no blood, no foul,” street hockey- minus the skates because come on who am I fooling, I can’t go more than three inches before face planting with those things.
And, a place that was at the time called simply “The Park.” Now, it wasn’t actually the park, I mean I spent my fair share playing two hand touch football at the park that eventually led to tackle because somebody got ticked off, this park was for future athletes like Nascar drivers (featured go-karts) and MPGA players (miniature professional golf association).
Since that time, it’s been changed but not extraordinarily, after a transformation to the “Renaissance Fun Park” the Middletown institution continues to be a haven for kids in the area.
When I was a kid my buddies and I would all walk through the woods behind my parents’ house in a trek that concluded with us on the opposite side of the arcade/outdoor destination. Today you can’t do that, as that area has been built up the path is pretty much gone, plus when you’re a kid you don’t think about the snakes and coyotes and stuff, you assume, or at least I did that you’re impervious to such things.
None the less, I decided to make my way back as I felt a wave of nostalgia carry over me upon entrance. Now, the arcade had changed some-different flooring and such- but, it was still the same place I remember with an added Lazer Tag area.
So, consider this a call to arms of sorts to all athletes of the family variety, the Renaissance Fun Park in Middletown next to Sonic still offers the opportunity for a good time that I remember from my childhood.
Image: D. Rose
