Louisville Metro Parks and Sustainability Committee Meeting - June 4, 2026

The Louisville Metro Parks and Sustainability Committee met on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM in Council Chambers and via video teleconference, with Chair Khalil Batshon (R-25) presiding. The meeting was called to order at 3:03 p.m. and adjourned at 4:01 p.m. Six committee members were present: Chair Batshon, Vice Chair Paula McCraney (I-7), Crystal Bast (R-14), Jennifer Chappell (D-15) (attending virtually), Anthony Piagentini (R-19), and Betsy Ruhe (D-21). Non-committee members Donna Purvis (D-5) and JP Lyninger (D-6) also attended. The committee received two special presentations, recommended approval of two pieces of legislation, and held two items in committee.

Special Discussion: Partnership for a Green City Sustainability Achievements

• Brent Fryrear, representative of the Partnership for a Green City, presented the organization's sustainability accomplishments. The partnership includes Louisville Metro, the University of Louisville, Jefferson County Public Schools, and Jefferson Community and Technical College, operating since 2004 with a maximum contribution of $31,000 per partner per year (totaling $124,000 annually).
• Reported outcomes since 2005 include over $16 million in savings through coordinated purchasing, avoidance of 528 million kilowatt hours of energy use, diversion of nearly 7 billion pounds of recyclables, and 15 million pounds of compostables from landfills.
• Fryrear noted the partnership's sustainability education pipeline spans kindergarten through doctoral programs, and that Council Member Ruhe was the first graduate of the interdisciplinary master's in sustainability program at U of L.
• Committee Member Piagentini asked about residential solar economics, noting he could not make the break-even analysis work for his own home; Fryrear acknowledged challenges including energy costs, grid interconnection with Louisville Gas & Electric, and policy uncertainty, while mentioning the Mayor's Office of Sustainability's "Solarized Louisville" program.
• Committee Member Ruhe asked how the partnership could become more prominent; Fryrear mentioned plans for an AI and environmental impacts committee, a potential TV presence, and a newsletter. He then presented Ruhe with a Sustainability Champion award made of bamboo and recyclable metal.

Special Discussion: Olmsted Parks Conservancy Current Work and Future Projects

• Mary Grissom, President and CEO of the Olmsted Parks Conservancy, presented on the Conservancy's history, operations, and projects. The Conservancy, formed in 1989 under Mayor Abramson, partners with Louisville Parks and Recreation to maintain 17 original Olmsted parks and six parkways totaling over 2,000 acres, with more than 2.5 million visitors per year.
• Grissom described Louisville's Olmsted system as one of only four complete Olmsted park systems in the world and the most fully realized, with parks including Shawnee (298 acres), Cherokee (389 acres), and Iroquois (over 700 acres). She emphasized the system's status as the only one in America with a park (Chickasaw) specifically designed by the Olmsted firm for Black Americans.
• Recent and upcoming projects include the 2025 opening of the Campbell Overlook in Cherokee Park, restoration of the Central Park pergola, a $5 million gift announced last fall for full restoration of Chickasaw Park, restoration of the Galbert Pavilion at Big Rock, a new Iroquois Park playground (with plans expected to be released early the week following the meeting), and the Bingham Park master plan implementation, which Grissom asked the committee to keep in the budget.
• Committee Member Ruhe shared a personal story about Iroquois Park and asked about the Conservancy's role in golf-related improvements; Grissom responded that the Conservancy sees itself as a partner supporting the underlying land of golf courses and cited First Tee's investments at Shawnee.
• Committee Member Chappell asked about the Louisville Metro-Olmsted Parks Conservancy MOU. Grissom explained it is a 2012 agreement under which the matching requirement is interpreted across the entire Olmsted Park system rather than dollar-for-dollar on every project, requires project-specific agreements for co-investments, allows the Conservancy to act as owner's agent, and requires Metro to consult the Conservancy on master plans and design decisions.
• Committee Member Piagentini expressed appreciation for the partnership but noted that historically Olmsted parks received a large share of city capital funding while some parks outside the system, such as Long Run Park, received little to no city funding until recently. He urged continuing to balance funding based on need. Grissom responded that the Conservancy advocates for the entire park system and hopes its model can inspire other park partnerships.
• Council Member Lyninger expressed gratitude for the three Olmsted parks in District 6 and acknowledged that some Olmsted parks have not seen investment in 20 years due to location, highlighting the deferred maintenance challenge across the city.

Pending Legislation: Foraging Ordinance (O-108-26)

• The ordinance, sponsored by Council Member JP Lyninger (D-6), would amend LMCO Section 42.31 to permit foraging of certain plant material in Louisville Metro Parks.
• This item was held in committee without discussion or a vote.

Pending Legislation: Golf Course Green Fees (O-145-26)

• Committee Member Piagentini, a primary sponsor, explained the ordinance amends LMCO Section 42.41 to implement dynamic pricing at Metro golf courses, last adjusted in 2020. Key changes include removing base rate charts from the ordinance, requiring the Parks and Recreation director to publish and maintain an annual green fee rate sheet on the department's website, allowing annual fee increases without Metro Council approval by the greater of $1 or the CPI-based amount (in $1 increments), eliminating the mandatory $5 booking fee, and adding authority for golf pros to establish policies for missed tee times.
• Piagentini noted the seven-day pass fee increases from $375 to $500 and stated that proposed baseline rates are not even at the level that would have resulted from keeping pace with the Consumer Price Index. He described the ordinance as part of ongoing improvements to golf course conditions, including the recent hiring of a dedicated agronomist.
• Michelle King, Executive Director of Louisville Parks and Recreation, expressed support, stating fee changes are needed because the costs of materials, supplies, and labor have risen since 2020.
• Committee Member Ruhe asked how golfers would learn dynamic pricing; King responded that prices are updated on the website where tee times are booked and at clubhouses, and that rates are locked in at the time of booking.
• A motion by Committee Member Piagentini, seconded by Committee Member Ruhe, was approved with 5 yes votes (Batshon, McCraney, Bast, Piagentini, Ruhe), and Committee Member Chappell recorded as present. The ordinance was sent to Old Business.

Pending Legislation: USTA Tennis Court Grant (R-057-26)

• Jason Canuel, Director of Louisville Parks and Recreation, presented the resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept $265,000 from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) for reconstruction of ten tennis courts at Seneca Park, funded through USTA National, USTA Southern, and the local USTA district.
• Canuel stated the Seneca Park courts are the second-largest bank of tennis courts in the system and are heavily overplayed, making the renovation project important.
• A motion by Committee Member Piagentini, seconded by Committee Member Bast, carried by voice vote, and the resolution was sent to the Consent Calendar.

Pending Legislation: Urban Forest Master Plan Resolution (R-142-25)

• The resolution, sponsored by Committee Member Jennifer Chappell (D-15) with additional sponsors, urges implementation of the Urban Forest Master Plan strategies and actions to ensure Louisville's tree canopy is resilient, protected, and sustainable.
• The item was held in committee because the financial impact statement was not available.

Key Outcomes

• O-145-26 (golf green fees) recommended for approval by a 5-0-1 vote (Chappell present), sent to Old Business.
• R-057-26 (USTA Seneca Park tennis court grant) recommended for approval by voice vote, sent to the Consent Calendar.
• O-108-26 (foraging) held in committee; no timeline for further action stated.
• R-142-25 (Urban Forest Master Plan resolution) held in committee pending the financial impact statement.
• Items sent to the Consent Calendar or Old Business will be heard before the full Metro Council on June 11, 2026.