Campbell Overlook unveiled at Louisville's Cherokee Park in honor of longtime visitor

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville man who passed away from cancer was honored Wednesday with a permanent memorial at a park he visited nearly every day.

The Campbell Overlook was unveiled at Chauffeur's Rest in honor of Chris Campbell, who lived along the park and was a frequent visitor.

The area of the park had once fallen into disrepair, but has since been renovated as a new spot for visitors to enjoy.

After Campbell passed in 2023 from cancer, his family made a donation in his honor. With the help of Metro Parks and Recreation and the Olmsted Parks Conservancy, the donation created a terrace at the overlook and added four memorial benches.

"I think what you feel when you come out here is peacefulness, nature, being able to be out in this and just enjoy those majestic beech trees that you walk through to get out to the overlook, and connecting with each other," Heather Campbell said.

Campbell's family hopes the new area is enjoyed by park visitors for generations to come.

"We are very thankful to Louisville Parks and Recreation and the Olmsted Parks Conservancy for allowing us to leave a mark upon this earth in memory of Chris that perpetuates his values, improves a beautiful Olmsted designed park, and makes the world a better place," the family said in a news release.

Metro Parks said the overlook was created "in accordance with Frederick Law Olmsted's design philosophies to emphasize the expansive view." The agency said those philosophies "prioritized an enhanced sense of space, including indefinite boundaries and constant opening of new views."

The Campbell Overlook is part of a more than $300,000 investment to improve the Chauffeur's Rest area of Cherokee Park. Upgrades include an accessible plaza with seating, bike racks and a water fountain. Metro Parks said a stone seat wall will connect the plaza with a short path that is shaded. Leaders said the Olmsted Parks Conservancy would also install a "forward-thinking planting plan that is designed to replace aging trees and add shade and beauty to the overlook."

Metro Parks said Chauffeur's Rest is one of the most biodiverse areas of Cherokee Park. A meadow was installed there in 2019 to "provide habitat and food sources for animals and pollinators, reduce mowing areas and sequester carbon."

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