Louisville Metro Parks and Sustainability Committee Meeting - July 23, 2026
Louisville Metro Parks and Sustainability Committee Meeting - July 23, 2026
The Parks and Sustainability Committee met on July 23, 2026, at 3:00 PM in Council Chambers with virtual participation. Vice Chair Paula McCraney (I-7) presided, and a quorum of six members was present. The meeting lasted approximately four minutes, adjourning at 3:04 PM. Only one of three agenda items received action; the other two were held.
Public Comments & Testimony
- The raw transcript includes an extended monologue from an individual describing their passion for mountain biking at a local track, including details about community support and an upcoming national event. The transcript also shows a council member thanking the speaker. However, the official meeting minutes do not record any public comments or presentations, nor do the agenda or minutes list such an item. This discrepancy is noted; it is unclear whether this testimony was part of the formal meeting or a pre-meeting event.
Discussion Items
- O-108-26 (Foraging Ordinance): This ordinance, which would amend LMCO Section 42.31 to permit foraging of certain plant material in Louisville Metro Parks, remained held in committee with no discussion or action.
- R-142-25 (Urban Forest Master Plan Resolution): This resolution urging implementation of the Urban Forest Master Plan strategies also remained held in committee with no discussion or action.
- R-080-26 (Otter Creek Park Property Transfer): Committee Member Crystal Bast (R-14), the primary sponsor, presented the resolution. She explained that in 2014 the city declared most of Otter Creek Park surplus for transfer to the state fish and wildlife agency. This resolution would determine 2.966 acres of Otter Creek Park in Meade County as no longer needed for governmental purposes and authorize its transfer to Meade County. After her remarks, no further discussion occurred.
Key Outcomes
- R-080-26 passed on a voice vote (all ayes, no nays). The motion was made by Committee Member Anthony Piagentini (R-19) and seconded by Committee Member Bast. The resolution was recommended for approval and sent to the Consent Calendar for the full Metro Council meeting on July 30, 2026.
- O-108-26 and R-142-25 remain held in committee with no deadline for further action noted beyond their original action-required dates (November 14, 2026, and November 14, 2026, respectively).
Meeting Transcript
And to trying to do a little racing here and there and same thing things like that. Then my first son was born and we kind of got into mountain bikes. I knew this place existed. I I lived down Westport Road for 20 years. I was like, oh, let's go up track try the track. So I brought him up here, and he's on a little balanced bike, and we just started riding. And they're like, we race. And I was like, I had no idea. All right. Um, so that kind of got me, you know, instantly hooked. The community that we have up here is is one of the best. If you're down here in a gate and your tire pops, there's a there's a there's a kid behind you throwing throwing you a bike, going, look here, here. Oh, hold the race, hold the race. Let's get him, let's get them out there. That alone is is a very big part of why I love this. It's it's bikes and dirt and and teaching. We have a lot of older riders. Um, like I said, I race a little bit myself, teaching young people how to handle tough situations is is what all sports are, right? I mean that's what we try to do. Well, I appreciate you sharing your passion with us, and you know, and telling us a little bit the track here, and you know, hope that you'll come join us either uh on a weekday night and or uh certainly Labor Day weekend to come see the nationals here. It's really a great event in our area and appreciate all the work that you do and all the volunteers that keep this place safe. I've got at least 10 behind me that you cannot do this by yourself. Um, and and every single one of them chip in just the city. Good afternoon, and thank you for joining us for the Parks and Sustainability Committee. We've been on a three-week break, so we're back now, and we're glad that you are joining us. Today is July the twenty-third, and the time now is three oh one. I have with us in chambers councilman Anthony Piagentini, Councilwoman Crystal Bast, and joining us virtually is Chairman of the Committee. Councilman Beth Sean. Today's meeting is held pursuant KRS six one point eight two six and council rule five. Items one and three will be held today. So we will go right into item number two. Can I get a motion? It's been moved and motioned, and we've been joined by councilwoman Betsy Ruey. Item number two is R-080-26, a resolution determining 2.966 acres of Otter Creek Park located in Mead County, Kentucky, as shown on exhibit A attached hereto and owned by Louisville, Jefferson County Metro Government, Metro Government, the governmental successor to the city of Louisville as no longer needed and no longer practical for a governmental purpose in authorizing its transfer to Meade County. The primary sponsor is Councilwoman Crystal Bast. Would you like to speak to it? Hello, thank you all. Just a little bit of information about this. So in 2014, the city declared most of Otter Creek Park property surplus so that it could be transferred to the state fish and wildlife. Thank you for that. Summary. With there being no discussion, all those in favor for the resolution, say aye. All those opposed, say no. The ayes have it. The resolution passes. We are duly adjourned. Behind us, you'll see.
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