EP “Tom” Sawyer State Park
The EP "Tom" Sawyer State Park is a 2.3 square kilometer state park near Louisville in Jefferson County in the US state of Kentucky . It is mainly used for local recreation for the population.
history
The park's grounds were used for agriculture by the Kentucky Central State Hospital in the 20th century . Barns and a cemetery are evidence of this. The park was founded by Governor Louie B. Nunn in 1971. In May 1975 the park's facilities were officially opened. The park was named after Erbon Powers "Tom" Sawyer (* 1915, † 1969), a judge and local politician who died on September 23, 1969 in a tragic car accident. His daughter Diane Sawyer is a well-known television presenter.
investment
The park is located in the Freys Hills and has gradually developed from an agricultural area to a park. Hundreds of trees have been planted over the years, turning the existing fields into a park. There are also numerous leisure facilities in the park area: The Activities Center contains a sports hall with 600 seats and basketball and badminton courts. There is also an outdoor pool, ten soccer fields, three softball fields , a 1.6-kilometer fitness trail, a two-kilometer walk along Goose Creek, and a BMX course. The park also has a model airfield, a dog meadow, children's playgrounds and picnic areas.
activities
The population in Eastern Jefferson County has grown rapidly in recent years, and the state park is used for recreational purposes by numerous residents. The Tom Sawyer State Park Foundation , a nonprofit in support of the state park, was founded in 1981. It is a volunteer organization that volunteers in the park and collects donations for the maintenance and expansion of the park. The state park administration offers numerous nature and environmental education programs for schools as well as a summer camp for teenagers. The Louisville Astronomical Society uses the park for stargazing. Every August, the park hosts the National Bicycle League Grand Nationals , a BMX race that attracts hundreds of riders from around the world.
literature
- Susan Reigler: The complete Guide to Kentucky State Parks. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky 2009, ISBN 978-0-8131-9208-6
Web links
- State Park website
- Tom Sawyer Park Foundation homepage
- EP “Tom” Sawyer State Park on the United States Geological Survey's Geographic Names Information System
Coordinates: 38 ° 16 ′ 39 ″ N , 85 ° 33 ′ 31 ″ W.