“Events like this help bring a city and its people together and we continue to add new ways for families to have fun, exercise and be healthy,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “Last year, we added the paddle sports plus yoga and tai chi and this Memorial Day many of the popular food trucks will be available for a tasty meal after a morning of fun and exercise, along with other new activities including canoe tours on the river.”

Subway Restaurants is the title sponsor of Hike, Bike & Paddle, with presenting sponsors, Coca-Cola, Norton Healthcare and Subaru.

A 3-mile paddling course gives canoeists and kayakers the option of heading up Beargrass Creek as far as the MSD pumping station at Brownsboro Rd. or staying on the Ohio River and paddling through the land-side channel of Towhead Island.

Paddling participants will launch their canoes or kayaks at the river ramp located at the Harbor Lawn of Waterfront Park. Paddlers can drop their boats off at the “Green” parking lot near River Rd. and Witherspoon Dr. from 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Persons without a boat who would like to paddle can rent a canoe or kayak. However, boats must be reserved in advance by contacting River City Canoe & Kayak at 384-3737 or info@rcckonline.com.

Police and safety boats will be nearby during the paddling activity and all participants will have assistance if needed in launching their canoe or kayak. Safe paddling instruction and demonstrations will take place in the Harbor area of the Great Lawn starting at 8a.m.

For cyclists, a 15-mile route will journey through Old Louisville, down Southern Parkway and into Iroquois Park, one of Louisville’s signature Olmsted-designed Metro Parks. Turnoffs will provide options for cycling routes as short as two miles.

The hiking route, which is wheelchair-accessible, will allow walkers to explore eastern sections of Waterfront Park and enjoy scenic views along the newest section of the Riverwalk adjoining the new marina in River Park Place. Walkers can bring dogs to participate in the hike, but must keep their dogs on a leash and pick up waste during the walk as required by law.

Both the cycling and walking routes will be marked with signage and will have plenty of water stops. The Louisville Bicycle Club is providing “bike captains” to help cyclists obey the rules of the road. “Bike doctors” will be in Waterfront Park before the ride and along the route to assist cyclists with any equipment problems. Louisville Metro Police will provide traffic assistance at key intersections and the Louisville Metro EMS bicycle team will patrol the route.

A healthy marketplace with nutritional snacks, free children’s activities and informational booths will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Waterfront Park. A new addition will be mobile food trucks which will offer a variety of foods and snacks. Also new will be free tours on the river in the large “Voyager Canoe.” Yoga, tai chi and Zumba demonstrations will be offered along with group participation.

More than 2,000 free T-shirts will be available for those arriving early and the Brain Injury Association will distribute 500 helmets to riders who don’t have one. The Kosair Children’s Hospital Bike Safety Rodeo will offer safety education activities for young cyclists.

Participants are encouraged to be “green” and bring their own water bottles which they will be able to fill in Waterfront Park, part of the Louisville Water Company’s Pure Tap To Go program.