Public Input Meeting November 13, 2012

Meeting Schedule – Open House – 6:00-6:45 pm – Presentation – 6:45-7:15 pm – Open House – 7:15-8:00 pm

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Metro Parks Mayor’s Office Metro Council District Representatives HDR Engineering, Inc. Corn Island Archaeology Redwing Ecological Services Introductions

Describe the intent of this Study Louisville Loop summary Examine potential path types Identify opportunities and constraints Outline future steps of the planning process Meeting Purpose

Louisville Loop Summary

This Study Will……. Evaluate Routes for a Conceptual Shared-Use Path – National Turnpike at Fairdale Road to Floyds Fork at Bardstown Road – Provide a Recommended Alignment for the Louisville Loop Identify Potential Ecological Restoration Opportunities – Pond Creek Watershed – Floyds Fork Watershed Identify Cultural Resources and Cultural Resource Interpretive Opportunities Identify potential routes for soft-surface trail opportunities Study Purpose

A conceptual shared-use path and ecological restoration plan from: Pond Creek Path Terminus at National Turnpike/Fairdale Road to Parklands of Floyds Fork Path Terminus at Bardstown Road Project Overview

Path Planning Goals Maximize transportation and recreation function by providing connectivity to neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, commercial districts, and parks. Achieve proper balance between path user experience and cost. Minimize disturbance to environmentally sensitive areas.

What Will the Path Look Like? Path Adjacent to RoadwaysPath Within Natural Areas

What Will the Path Look Like? Soft Surface Path Bike Lanes with Sidewalk

Overall Map- Preliminary Routes

Preliminary Route ‘A’

Preliminary Route ‘B’

Preliminary Route ‘C’

Preliminary Soft Surface Route

Preliminary Route Summary

Habitat Evaluation – Tree canopy age – Dominant native species – Invasive species – Disturbance – Size of habitat block – Restoration potential – T/E species requirements Ecological Resources - Approach

Stream Evaluation – Physical dimensions – Channel form – Aquatic habitat – Sedimentation – Bank stability – Riparian corridor – Watershed development – Restoration potential Ecological Resources - Approach

Upland Woods Ecological Resources - Existing Natural Habitats Shrub and Glade HabitatOpen Field Riparian Woods

Perennial Streams - Wilson Creek, Mud Creek, Fishpool Creek, Pennsylvania Run, Cedar Creek Tributary Streams Lakes – McNeely Lake, Silver Lake, Crystal Lake, Pay lakes Ponds Wetlands – around Wilson Creek and Mud Creek, low-lying depressions Ecological Resources - Existing Aquatic Features

Kentucky Glade Cress Ecological Resources - Existing Threatened / Endangered Species Habitat Kirtland’s Snake Louisville Crayfish Eggleston’s Violet

In-Stream Structures – Cross Vane Restoration Techniques Stream Restoration Bioengineering – Live Stakes Channel / Bank Reshaping Aquatic Habitat – Pools/Riffles In-Stream Structures – J-Hook

Bush Honeysuckle Removal - Before Restoration Techniques Riparian Corridor Restoration Native Tree and Shrub Planting Bush Honeysuckle Removal - After

Wilson Creek – invasive control, native plantings, trash cleanup Restoration Opportunities

Cedar Creek – invasive control, native plantings, streambank stabilization

Next Steps Develop Draft Recommended Alignment – Public Input – Cost Considerations – Safety – User Experience – Connectivity – Right-of-Way Acquisition Develop Final Plan Document – Path Recommendations Recommended alignment for shared-use path and soft-surface path Potential locations for trailheads and other facilities (restrooms, drinking fountains) Development of costs – Ecological resources summary and identification of restoration opportunities – Cultural resources summary and identification of interpretive opportunities

Comments from this meeting Public meeting regarding the Preliminary Final Plan (recommended alignment) Future Participation Opportunities winter 2013

Questions?

SLIDES AFTER THIS ARE NOT IN THE PRESENTATION

Enabled through Planning Assistance to States (Section 22 of Water Resources Development Act of 1974) The Planning Assistance States (PAS) Program, permits the Corps to use its technical planning expertise to supplement and support state and Indian tribe efforts to undertake broad, statewide, comprehensive water resources planning. Project Roles Funded annually through Congress 50% federal and 50% local cost share Study Funding

Completed Projects – CDC Wayfinding and Signage Master Plan – Louisville Loop Design Guidelines – Southwest Greenways Master Plan – Pond Creek Shared-Use Path and Ecological Restoration Plan Current Projects – Olmsted Parkways Shared-Use Path Design – Ohio River Levee Trail Extension – McNeely Lake Park Master Plan – McNeely Lake Park Access Road and Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Scoop on the Loop

Challenge: Barriers to Path Circulation Preston Hwy I-265 (Gene Snyder Fwy) and I-65CSX Railroad

Challenge: Cost Considerations Bridge Construction Steep TopographyUtility Relocations

Challenge: Land Ownership Narrow Road ROWPrivate Property

Challenge: Safety Concerns Vehicular TrafficDriveways

Challenge: Sensitive Environments Wooded Area in McNeely Park

Planned Roadway Projects with Bike Pedestrian Facilities – National Turnpike widening from Fairdale Rd. to S. Park Rd. – Mt. Holly Rd. Widening – Blue Lick Rd. widening from I-265 to Preston Hwy. – Interchange improvements at I-265 and Preston Hwy. – Preston Hwy. intersection improvements at Commerce Crossing/Cooper Chapel Rd. – Cooper Chapel Rd. Section I, II, & III – Beulah Church Rd. widening – Mt. Washington Rd. Section I & II Opportunity: Other Projects in Corridor

McNeely Lake Park Roadway Renaissance Zone Development

Opportunity: Corridors Utility CorridorsStream Corridors

Opportunity: Roadway and Railroad Crossings Gene Snyder Fwy (I-265)CSX Railroad Preston HwyI-65 Overpass

Opportunity: Destinations Employment Centers Commercial DistrictsSchools Neighborhoods

Opportunity: Destinations McNeely Lake Park Equestrian Facilities Fairmount Falls

Opportunity: Scenic Areas Farmland McNeely LakeForested Knobs

Opportunity: Cultural Interpretation Farmland McNeely LakeForested Knobs

Opportunity: Cultural Interpretation Farmland McNeely LakeForested Knobs

Opportunity: Cultural Interpretation Farmland McNeely LakeForested Knobs Pennsylvania Run Church and Cemetery

Opportunity: Cultural Interpretation Fishpools Plantation

Adjacent Loop Project: Pond Creek Corridor

Adjacent Loop Project: Parklands of Floyds Fork

Options for Ecological Restoration – Protection – Enhancement – Restoration/Rehabilitation – Creation Ecological Restoration

Goals of Restoration – Water Quality Improvements – Habitat – Diversity – Increased functional benefit to the natural and human environments. Ecological Restoration

Types of Resources that the Corridor Offers – Stream Corridors (Pond Creek, Floyds Fork, and tributaries – Woodlands – Agriculture and Pastures Next Steps – Path Segment Evaluation – Detailed Review of Alternative Corridors – Ecological Restoration Concept Development Ecological Restoration Pennsylvania Run in McNeely Park