Because Louisville Metro Council is considering whether to place a measure on the November ballot that, if approved by voters, would create a dedicated Park Fund — a protected source of funding that can only go to capital improvements in Louisville Metro public parks. Capital improvements include repair and construction of things like playgrounds and pedestrian paths, modernized community centers, and safe, accessible green spaces. The funds would be protected — meaning they could not be redirected to other city budget priorities.

It is an independent, nonpartisan civic initiative fiscally sponsored by the Community Foundation of Louisville, Inc., a 501(c)(3) public charity. The mission of the For Parks Education Fund is to provide trusted, accurate, nonpartisan information about Louisville’s public parks and the funding questions facing them — before decisions are made.

The Fund brings together park enthusiasts, neighborhood leaders, community members, and allied organizations from across Louisville to ensure that every resident — in every neighborhood — has access to clear, factual information.

A broad coalition of park advocates, neighborhood leaders, and community members who have come together to provide trusted information about Louisville's public parks and the funding issues they face. The growing list of coalition members is found on the For Parks Education Fund website.

The question that Council is discussing to potentially refer to voters is:

Are you in favor of the establishment of a dedicated public “Park Fund” to provide funds for the improvement and development of our public parks, walking and hiking trails, bike paths, swimming pools, playgrounds, recreational facilities, and other park amenities for children, adults, families, and seniors, to be financed by the levy of an additional two and one-quarter cents ($0.0225) per one hundred dollars ($100) on all taxable real property, effective January 1, 2027?

The statutory authority for submitting this measure to voters in Louisville/Jefferson County is found in KRS 83A.120. The statue outlines two paths to advance a referendum:

OPTION 1: Metro Council adopts a resolution to place the measure on the ballot.

Step One: Introduction → Any member of Metro Council can introduce the resolution. State law mandates that the resolution must contain the full, specific text of the proposed levy.

Step Two: Committee Deliberation → The resolution is sent to a Council committee for public discussion, debate, and possible amendments. This is a critical phase for gathering public feedback and building support.

Step Three: Full Council Vote → If the committee recommends the resolution, the full Metro Council votes on it. A simple majority is required for passage which then advances the proposal to the ballot.

Step Four: Submission to the Clerk → The adopted resolution is submitted to the Jefferson County Clerk no later than the second Tuesday in August to qualify for the November ballot. Then voters decide on the measure on election day.

OPTION 2: Initiation of a citizen petition. 

For this option, five qualified city voters must form a petition committee and file an affidavit with the county clerk, including their names, mailing address, and the full text of the proposal. Petitions must then be circulated and signed by registered voters totaling at least 20% of the votes cast in the most recent presidential election (an estimated 71,576 signatures based on the number of Louisville/Jefferson County voters in the 2024).

While both options are viable, the Metro Council resolution process offers a more efficient and cost-effective approach than a citywide petition drive.

Approximately $18 million annually. The cost to the average Louisville homeowner would be around $1 per week.

The dedicated park fund carries accountability protections at two levels — state law and the Kentucky Constitution. Under KRS 97.590, all revenue collected through the park levy must be held in a separate, designated "Park Fund" and can only be spent on capital projects for parks — it cannot be redirected to other government uses. In addition, because the levy is authorized by a public voter referendum, the Kentucky Constitution reinforces that these funds cannot be repurposed. A local government that tried to raid the Park Fund would be violating both state law and constitutional constraints.

All expenditures would be subject to full public disclosure.

Louisville Metro’s Parks and Recreation Department maintains a list of deferred maintenance at all of our parks that will serve as the basis for a master plan to guide funding decisions.

Yes! Work is under way to make a searchable database publicly available on our website so everyone can see what is needed in their neighborhood parks. Stay tuned!

In a 2022 poll, 95 percent of respondents in Louisville said they visited a park within the last year, and Louisville Parks and Recreation facilities ranked as the number one destination. Park visits have increased steadily, totaling 9.2 million visits in 2025.[1]

[1] Placer AI Report, Parks Alliance of Louisville, May 1, 2026

Louisville has more than 120 public parks and 13 community centers.[1]

[1]Find A Park, https://louisvilleky.gov/government/parks/find-park, Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation Department