We can probably accord that New York ’s Central Park , design by Frederick Law Olmsted – the unofficial God of park design – is the most noted city park in the country . So guess which other city ol' Fred had a passion for ? Yep , our very own ‘ ville . Over a one C ago , Olmsted designed a connection of parks and parkways throughout the city , including some of Louisville ’s most popular green spaces , like Cherokee and Iroquois Park . Leaving aside his masterpieces , our metropolis is remarkably verdant . With well over 100 ballpark in the metro domain , Louisville local are spoiled stinking with beautifully design and preserved green space , and the number of heart - respectable action one can engage in is as extended as the number of parks our metropolis boasts . So the next fourth dimension you need to work off the Hot Browns and Old Fashioneds ( like , today , let ’s be honorable ) , try exercise in the Louisville park system .
Get back into skateboarding at the David Armstrong Extreme Park
If we told you there was 40,000sqft of concrete surface Downtown , you ’d plausibly go on a rant about the overabundance of parking lots in our metropolis . But what if this monumental belt of pavement include a 24 ft full pipe and a wooden vert ramp ? Yup , it ’s clip to reveal out that skateboard you attempted to get over in midway schoolhouse ( you cognize you still have it ) or dust off your BMX bicycle , and hit the David Armstrong Extreme Park ! Open 24 hours a day , this park has been vastly pop since its 2002 opening , and is considered one of the good skateparks in the nation , attracting visitor from various states 365 twenty-four hours a class .
Run to Indiana and back via the Big Four Bridge at Waterfront Park
We ’ve got to give the city bragging props for restoring the century - old railroad bridge at Waterfront Park , allowing footer to cross over to Indiana while enjoying sweeping views of business district and the Ohio . The Big Four Bridge officially afford to pedestrians in 2013 , and has been packed ever since . “ You could in spades do a timed nudge , ” says Chance Cianciola , carbon monoxide - proprietor and trainer atEveryday Athlete . “ Set a timekeeper , or prefer to run from the beginning to a certain terrace , then practice it do tone - ups . If you incorporate step - ups , push - ups , and lunges , you ’ll append some upper consistence and strength preparation along with the conditioning . ”
Play soccer at Seneca Park
Whether you ’re in a softball conference , enjoy a game of tennis , or have simply endure in the St. Matthews region at some point in your life sentence , we ’re willing to bet good money you ’ve spent an hour or four at Seneca Park . The gravid “ baseball diamond ” of sorts , surrounded by the commons ’s 1.2 - mile walk path , is home to several soccer goal , giving visitor a beautiful distance to convey their internal David Beckham … all while burning plenty of calories .
Sprint up Baringer Hill at Cherokee Park
Arguably the metropolis ’s most popular common , Cherokee Park offer a 2.5 - mile cringle featuring two massive hills , hiking trails , and categorical , heart-to-heart spaces . If you need to set up yourself up for a big , heart - healthy fittingness challenge , the dramatically steep climbing of Dog Hill – the slope of smoke leading to the highest viewing point in the park – is your best bet . “ bet on your physical fitness level , you may need to sprint up , then walk right back down , ” Chance allege . “ This way , rather than endure there or resting , you have an active recovery , so your bosom rate lowers a lilliputian , but you ’re still continuing to make for the peg muscle . If you ’re more advance , sprint back up as presently as you get to the bottom . If you ’re newer , take a rest , do some stretch for the hips and thighs , keeping the muscle and joint loose and giving them prison term to recover before their next solidification . ” Chance also recommends setting smaller goal for yourself if you ’re not advanced . “ Run halfway up the hill , or slow down your pace – for somebody who ’s young , just walk up the Alfred Hawthorne can be a challenge . ”
Throw horseshoes at Chickasaw Park
OK , throw quoits may be a stint when it add up to buffing up your bod , but if it gets you up off the couch and alfresco at the scenic Chickasaw Park , then we say it is a worthy calorie - burning .
Give cricket a shot at Buechel Park
Buechel Park is home to one of the few cricket pitch in the metropolis , and gives Louisvillians the opportunity to assay out a in general unfamiliar sportswoman that happens to be wildly democratic internationally . So read up on the rules , get together a radical , and up your hipster cred .
Hike to the top of Iroquois Park
Be prepared for one hilly ascent – but have intercourse that there ’s a reward add up your manner , too . The view from the overlook light at the top of the park is unbeatable , making the workout on the way of life up totally worth it . “ If you need to make the Alfred Hawthorne more challenging , you could add resistance to yourself by wearing a weight vest , ” Chance pronounce . “ Doing lunge up the mound add a challenge , as well . Or try a bear crawl – when you add upper body , you make it more difficult . ”
Play a pickup game of flag football at George Rogers Clark Park
There ’s more than enough room for a pickup game at George Rogers Clark Park … and this classic American activity is made that much better when you pack a cooler and claim one of the various grills for a postgame cookout .
Get your cyclocross on at Eva Bandman Park
Adventure - seekers , take note : the premiere cyclocross venue in America is place correctly here in Louisville . The Eva Bandman Park undergo a dramatic translation in 2009 , and was reintroduced to the community in 2010 as the Eva Bandman Park & Cyclocross Venue . In case you ’re unfamiliar , cyclocross is fundamentally mountain biking on cracking : take even off - road cycling and add in unconscionable hills , verywooded trails , and numerous obstruction call up for the wheeler to dismount and carry his or her bike over whatever is jam their path . Not for the faint of heart , cyclocross may just be the gymnastic challenge you ’ve been seeking .
Try out tennis at Tyler Park
If you ’re fresh to tennis , or are simply looking for a seat without pretence or intimidation to practise your jive , the court at Tyler Park are for you .
Be one of those people who plays disc golf at Charlie Vettiner Park
Whether you call it disc golf game , frisbee golf game , or frolf , only two Louisville Mungo Park are home to dispatch courses , the Charlie Vettiner Park being one of them . If frolf is n’t just up your back street ( play as it is , you do have to take being That Guy when you ’re play it ) , you ’ll have no trouble keeping busy at this sprawling park , with volleyball , lawn tennis , golf game , and basketball game on offer .
Relive your cross-country running days at Joe Creason Park
With over 62 acres of wooded looker , Joe Creason Park really is a cross - country lover ’s dream .
Kayak at McNeely Lake Park
If you have a kayak in your garage gathering rubble , then go hit up McNeely Lake Park . One of the most talkative Park in the city , McNeely Lake Park is idealistic for kayaking , and its 46 - Accho lake is essentially tailor - made for coggle . Plus , you’re able to go sportfishing , too – which reckon as an activeness , right ?
Play basketball at Shawnee Park
Whether you jolly along for the Cards or the Cats , Louisvillians love their basketball . Home to Louisville ’s annual Dirt Bowl basketball tournament , Shawnee Park is the good position we can guess of to join in a pickup game , or practice your detached throw . And if playing basketball ’s not your thing , there ’s also a association football subject area , baseball diamond , and tennis Margaret Court for those who prefer a less hands - on approach to our United States Department of State ’s unofficial sportswoman .
Take a free yoga class at the Shelby Park Community Center
Channel your internal yogi at Shelby Park , where free yoga social class are offered every Monday from 6 - 7pm ( and at other times and car park locations as well – just check out the website for theKentucky Yoga Initiative , which provides the teacher ) . “ This is an all - levels class , so it ’s a big plaza to begin , ” says Mimi Hahn , founding board member and yoga teacher . They learn power vinyasa category , so it ’s different from some yoga you may be more familiar with : power vinyasa perplex fairly aerobic , and need move from one position swimmingly to another , rather than tolerate still and give pose for a long prison term . “ We have all the material that are necessary – lusterlessness and block – but you ’re welcome to bring your own , ” Mimi allege . “ Power vinyasa is really various , and is cracking for building strength as well as increase flexibility . These classes really give you an opportunity to challenge yourself in an atmosphere that ’s dependable and supporting . ”
Hop on the Louisville Loop at The Parklands of Floyds Fork
The Parklands of Floyds Fork tie together four of the metropolis ’s ballpark via trails and drives , sweep over heaps of miles of beautifully sustain and preserved landscape painting . It ’s an fantabulous place to derail on the Louisville Loop , an ongoing project led by the city to evolve a 100 - mile loop connect all corners of the community via parks and greenspaces . If you ’re not on the southeasterly closing of town , then no worries – you may also detect access to the fill in fate of the Louisville Loop at Shawnee Park , Lannan Park , Riverview Park , and Riverside , the Farnsley - Moremen Landing . “ There are concrete path here , but also paths through the woods , ” Chance say . “ Even going to a playground and doing things like the scallywag bars and clobber – you could do pull - ups on there , a skillful agency to mimic stuff like Tough Mudder . And if you want to go on a motorcycle drive in The Parklands , the hills there are expire to make a ride more challenging . ”
Go hiking through the Beargrass Creek Greenway
Tucked between the Highlands and St. Matthews in the Irish Hill neck of the woods , local anaesthetic can find succulent hike trails and bike path , unfold 1.3 nautical mile along Beargrass Creek . Keep your eyes peel off for wildlife , unique birds , and an raiment of native plant life .
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David Armstrong Extreme Park|Courtesy of Louisville Metro Parks
Flickr/Gabe Racz
Flickr/Scott Clark
Flickr/Glorius Gaduang
Courtesy of Louisville Metro Parks
Flickr/Louisville Images
Dirt Bowl
Louisville Loop
