Louisville's Chickasaw Park Earns National Recognition From The Cultural Landscape Foundation Landslide® 2021

Louisville KY

14 December, 2021

2:11 AM

Description

Press release from the City of Louisville: December 9, 2021 Louisville's Chickasaw Park has been included in Landslide 2021: Race and Space, an annual thematic report on threatened and at-risk landscapes in the United States released by The Cultural Landscape Foundation's (TCLF). Landslide 2021: Race and Space focused on thirteen relatively unknown, but nationally significant cultural landscapes associated with African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native peoples. These sites have common characteristics that assist in understanding their respective histories, referred to as "throughlines." The report explores the characteristics of spatial nostalgia, erasure, amplifying community voices and redefining integrity. "Landslide 2021 broadens our understanding of our nation's complex history by raising the visibility of its overlooked cultural landscapes," said Charles A. Birnbaum, CLF's President and CEO. The Cultural Landscape Foundation recognized Chickasaw Park for inclusion in the Landslide 2021: Race and Space. The largest park specifically designed for the Black community of Louisville in the era of segregation, Chickasaw Park is also the only park in the country designed by the Olmsted Brothers firm during the period of park segregation for use by African-Americans. A part of Louisville's historic park system begun by Frederick Law Olmsted and completed by his son John Charles Olmsted, Chickasaw Park has a deep and rich history of fostering community and producing strong athletes, including Muhammad Ali, who trained at the park in his youth. The park now faces issues of deferred maintenance and a threat of erosion due to its proximity to the Ohio River. "To get to Chickasaw Park, we had to go through segregated communities, and that meant we had to arrive and leave by a certain time. In Chickasaw, all the safe-guard messages such as 'can't, don't, be careful and watch who you say things to' disappeared. Once we got to Chickasaw, oh boy, we were in Black heaven," said Edward "Nardie" White, Founder of River City Drum Corps. Layla George, president and CEO of Olmsted Parks Conservancy said, "We all love Chickasaw Park for the sweeping river views, the beautiful walking path, the pond, and the iconic clay tennis courts. To have it recognized at a national level for its historic and cultural significance is deeply meaningful. We hope this attention can help us raise additional funds to help with ongoing maintenance and capital investment. Chickasaw Park sorely needs it, and its users deserve it." This honor highlights the need for preservation for Chickasaw Park, and Olmsted Parks Conservancy is raising funds to restore the landmark's historic lodge. These improvements are part of the Parks For All campaign, which focuses on sustainability, equity and accessibility for our local Olmsted-designed parks. The report is comprised of eighteen richly illustrated short video interviews, photography and other commentators. Learn more about the future stewardship of each site and the broader legacy of cultural landscapes. This press release was produced by the City of Louisville. The views expressed here are the author's own.