Today’s a good day, to say the least. Parks are for the people—and we will continue to fight to keep it that way.
09.05.2025 18:12
👍 5
🔁 3
💬 0
📌 0
Today’s a good day, to say the least. Parks are for the people—and we will continue to fight to keep it that way.
Louisville (May 8, 2025) - Councilman Ben Reno-Weber (D-8) has issued the following statement to address community involvement and concerns regarding the Kentucky Tennis and Pickleball Center, Inc. (KYTPC) proposal to develop a tennis and pickleball complex in Joe Creason Park. "Concerns about the process Given the level of community interest and engagement in KYTPC's proposal to lease and build a tennis and pickleball complex, I wanted to outline the process that is taking place and still remains to take place before any further action is taken. I also want to make recommendations of Metro Government for handling this and similar proposals in the future. First, I want to clearly express my disappointment with the process to this point. Community engagement should precede any kind of commitment, or perceived commitment, to develop on city-owned land, particularly in a park. Our parks are a generational treasure, and we need to be pushing for their expansion and funding. Every person in our community deserves access to a park like Joe Creason. Regardless of the reality, the perception of a commitment to develop public land without a robust community process erodes public trust. Transparency about who is engaged in any proposed development should be pro-active and clear. I believe the Mayor has heard the concerns raised by Councilwoman Raymond, myself, and the hundreds of people who showed up at the first opportunity they had to give input. I am advocating that in this and in future similar development initiatives ideally not in parks), the community be engaged early, and a transparent process be followed. I want Louisville to be a dynamic place where people with big ideas have space and support to bring those ideas to life. Sports tourism and the attending benefit to our economy is a great part of our strategic economic growth. A dynamic, transparent, and efficient process in this and every development is so important to our community and our democracy. I have focuse…
Little "d" democracy On Tuesday, hundreds of people took time from their busy lives to make their voices heard and it was awesome. Though the format was not how I would have designed it or how we will do it when we host future meetings, it was amazing to be a participant - and I want to encourage those same people (and more) to continue to show up as we push for the kind of community we want. That includes advocating for parks, libraries, public transit, as well as programming by non-profits that give every member of our community the chance to know they belong and have opportunities to thrive. Next steps Because of the complexity of this particular project, involving not just city land but a park, a tennis center previously operated by a non-profit, a lease of land Metro will continue to own and not sell outright, and a request for a financing guarantee (but not funding), it has taken time (and many lawyers) to get clarity on the process. Below is the process as I understand it at this point. As you can see in the attached graphic, the process to this point has been led by the developers. Once they come back with a revised plan, the city's process will begin. Because of the unusual nature of this development, we will also host a community open-mic event in which, unlike the developer-led stage, community members will be allowed to speak. Thank you to everyone who has been involved in this process. This is how we build the kind of community and government we want to have, together." Councilman Ben Reno-Weber, District 8 ###
ZACHARY TAYLOR Tennis & Pickleball Proposal Process Overview We know that a large public project can involve a lot of documents, meetings, and moving parts, and it's not always easy to follow. This flyer provides a simplified overview of how the process IS LIKELY to unfold, including what's already happened and what steps may come next. While timelines and details may change, this guide is designed to help residents stay informed and understand where we are in the process. We are also committed to hosting a special community open-mic night between the developer and Metro Government in the near future. Councilwoman Josie Raymond (D-10) and Councilman Ben Reno-Weber (D-8) • Letter of Intent - completed Contractual process signed by the Mayor with the Kentucky Tennis & Pickleball Center, Inc. (KYPC) which requires a community engagement plan and process. • Community Engagement Process - in progress KYPC held one public open house on Tuesday, May 6, and will host another on Saturday. May 10, at 8:30 a.m. at St. Xavier School (1609 Poplar Level Road). • Metro to Sign Development Agreement - has not been initiated Development agreement between Metro Government and KYTPC, which would layout steps including setting a Planning Commission hearing date, deadline for final plan submission, construction timeline, and IE Metro was providing funds. POTENTIAL NEXT STEPS Official Application Submitted to Office of Planning - has not been infiated After neighborhood meetings have concluded, KYTPC submits a formal application to the Office of Planning. Applicant would include summary of neighborhood meeting and provide a sign-in sheet (all attendees will receive formal notice of Planning Commission meeting). • Formal Review of Application by Office of Planning - has not been initiated Staff will review the application with the Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan, and will provide recommendations for the proposal to align with the plans. Community Facility Review at Planning C…
Community Input Opportunities Developer (Kentucky Tennis & Pickleball Center, Inc.) Led Process • Initial proposal developed • Letter-of-Intent signed in early March 2025 between Mayor & Developers • Developer-led community engagement (May 6 & 10, 2025) • Revised plans submitted to the Office of Planning Metro Government Led Process • Letter-of-Intent signed in early March 2025 between Mayor & Developers • Metro and Developer to negotiate development agreement, identifying specific steps needed for the project to move forward • Office of Planning will formally review application submitted by developer • Community Facility Review at the Planning Commission • Will include a community meeting - downtown in the evening • Incorporation of plan into World War I Creason Memorial Master Plan • Councilmembers Ben Reno-Weber and Josie Raymond to host special community open-mic night with Developer and Metro Government. Metro Council Led Process • The general public may sign up to address the Council during regularly scheduled Council meetings. Please call the Metro Council Clerk to sign up (502) 574-3902 • The updated World War I Creason Memorial Master Plan will require Council approval • Developer must enter into a long-term ground lease agreement, pursuant to LMCO 42.35 (c), which will require Council approval • IF funds are requested by the developer (currently not in the proposed FY 26 budget), it will require Council approval
Statement and additional info from Councilman Reno-Weber. Honestly surprised at this @savejoecreason.bsky.social #natureovernets #parksoverpavement
Our parkrunners showed up for the first of two scheduled meetings with the developers of the Ky Tennis & Pickleball Center. This proposal threatens our very existence so we appreciate everyone standing up. The next meeting is Saturday at 8:30 at St.X. #natureovernets @savejoecreason.bsky.social
The one-on-one question format (that Will Davis chose and then barely participated in) stifles the diversity of perspective that makes community so valuable. Community members may hear a concern in an open forum that they hadn't considered.
The developers don't want input—they want support.
Courier Journal’s @jgerth.bsky.social : Where is @mayorgreenberg.bsky.social?
It’s a pressing question, considering all the OBVIOUS FACE TIME that’s Greenberg gave in purposeful secrecy! How he could he not face our neighborhoods last night?
www.courier-journal.com/story/opinio...
"People feel really disrespected that they're given essentially a science fair format to walk around and look at posters when they want to hear from developers the actual plan," she said. "How many sites did you look at? What's the funding mechanism? What's the tie to Bellarmine University? Why does it have to be Joe Creason? And they're not able to get those answers."
Josie Raymond from the top rope #natureovernets @savejoecreason.bsky.social www.wdrb.com/in-depth/cha...
Last night, the developers for this (ludicrous) proposal held a "forum" where they hoped to "engage" with the community. Instead, it was a science fair of massaged, rehearsed answers.
This was a near unanimous showing of opposition.
Our access to free use of space is not up for negotiation!
Media did a great job!
We’ll just have to wait and see if the media that attended this event will depict the absolutely massive crowd of people who attended this “forum for engagement” to voice their opposition to the location for this proposal.
Inspiring turnout!
Line to get in to the 1st meeting @savejoecreason.bsky.social #natureovernets
Public records show the developer of a proposed tennis center at Joe Creason Park envisioned it to support Bellarmine University’s tennis program. The project is sparking a wave of pushback from people who live near and use the Louisville park.
Group photo at parkrun. There are stick horses visible. A sign reads “Save Joe Creason”
Walkers in the rain at parkrun
Our volunteer marshal and barkrunner
Dad pushing a stroller at parkrun
A soggy Derby Day parkrun but nevertheless we persist. Thanks to the 42 runners and walkers (and 4 barkrunners) who started their weekend off right with fresh air and friends.
A memo dated 5-8-23: Report on and plan for Community Engagement: Strategy: Our strategy has been to keep information about this project very confidential until the Mayor and administration are prepared to make an announcement. Outside of a relatively small group of supporters, we initially shared plans only with Councilman Mulvihill,the Metro Louisville Sports Commission, Louisville Tourism, and USTA-Kentucky. At the direction of the Economic Development Center, we have shared information with the Louisville Zoo and the Louisville Nature Center, requesting confidentiality in both cases.
Mayor Craig Greenberg and his Bellarmine buddies, Will and Fred Davis, conspired secretly for years to take a 25 acres portion of Joe Creason Park and give it to the (just formed, headed by Will Davis) Kentucky Tennis and Pickleball Center. And here's the proof they tried to hide it from us
We appreciate @mayorgreenberg.bsky.social making our argument for us.
Sure hope he still feels this way.
Save Joe Creason Park movement has Tom FitzGerald on board
We love our multi-purpose green space. @mayorgreenberg.bsky.social
A pair of Bellarmine students with environmentally focused areas of study express concerns about the proposed facility and @mayorgreenberg.bsky.social approach.
Louisville’s park lovers turned out in droves this week to share common ground and interest in shared space at Joe Creason Park—shared space that they desperately want to preserve.
@mayorgreenberg.bsky.social
Green space in our parks provides an unending list of positive benefits, both for nature and for citizens. For some, it's as simple as a reminder of home.
#SaveJoeCreason @mayorgreenberg.bsky.social
The data is clear and already available on the government's own website. Our residents prefer rehabilitating our parks over building something new.
#SaveJoeCreason @mayorgreenberg.bsky.social
Our community treasures the flexibility of the open space in Joe Creason Park!
@mayorgreenberg.bsky.social #SaveJoeCreasonPark
