Louisville, KY (WDRB) The city and state are trying to attract more business with our parks.
The governor says businesses are looking for a place that has a good quality of life. He feels the Louisville Loop and projects surrounding it will bring more business to Kentucky.
From the rolling water at Floyds Fork to the Creekside sprayground and playground, people are already enjoying the beauty of The Parklands.
Mayor Greg Fischer says, "To see this project unfold right in front of us is an amazing, amazing thing," adding that he was particularly impressed with the speed at which it was developing.
Construction crews are ready for the next $15 million dollar phase of the Parklands project. This will connect to the Louisville Loop, a proposed 100-mile path encircling the city.
Fischer says, "This part of the park will have five miles of the Loop in that and the whole 24th Century Parks project has 18 miles of the Louisville Loop in it as well."
David Jones Sr., the Treasurer of 21st Century Parks says, "This truly is a project for generations and it's also a project for our entire community. Lots of our support comes from across the river."
Construction just began on the second half of Beckley Creek and Pope Lick Parks. Officials joined together in a tree planting ceremony marking the future site of what's called the Humana Grand Allee. It'll connect a variety of walking paths and trails stretching from a half mile to up to 20 miles.
The project also has a comprehensive environmental plan. Dan Jones, the Chairman and CEO of 21st Century Parks says, "In February of this year, we planted 30,000 trees in the south, the largest tree planting in Jefferson county in probably half a century. In phase two, we'll add 20,000 to that."
Surrounded by all the beauty of mother nature, the state says the park system is also being used to recruit businesses.
Governor Steve Beshear says, "People who make decisions about locating businesses are looking for more than good sewer systems and tax breaks folks, they are looking for communities that have the kind of quality of life that they want their people to enjoy."
Fischer says, "This is good for business. It's also good when you are building $100 million parks and the types of immediate jobs that produces as well."
The four parks that make up The Parklands are expected to be completed by 2015. The total project is $113 million which is funded by a public private partnership.
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