Publication Date: 11-09-2023
For Immediate Release
MEDIA CONTACT: Bryn Alston,
balston@louisvilledowntown.org,
Louisville Downtown Partnership
(502) 614-4122 (Office)
NEW “BARK PARK” UNVEILED IN DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE
TurfMutt Foundation Funds Public Downtown Park
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (November 9, 2023) – Louisville Downtown Partnership (LDP), Louisville Metro Government, and TurfMutt Foundation today held a ribbon cutting for a new pocket park in Downtown Louisville that promises to make both two-legged and four-legged friends happy.
Located directly behind the Ohio Theatre façade building on South Fourth Street, the Bark Park reimagines a previously underused large concrete space. The finished project includes fresh sod, decorative fencing and benches, trees and new plantings, as well as a large, colorful mural of Mulligan the TurfMutt by local artist Kacy Jackson.
“This welcoming new green space provides a new amenity to our Downtown population,” said Rebecca Fleischaker, executive director of LDP. “Urban areas should provide more opportunities to talk to people, engage in our environment, and to practice the art of hanging out. We know this new neighborhood amenity will be a popular site.”
Beginning today, the park will be open to the public from sun-up to sun-down, seven days a week. All dog breeds and sizes are welcome; owners are responsible for their pets at all times.
“The reasons to live and work in downtown Louisville keep getting better,” said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. “As we continue to invest in and grow our downtown green spaces, we want to have something for all parties involved, including our beloved four-legged friends. I cannot wait to bring my dog River to enjoy the Bark Park!”
The Bark Park project was designed and fully funded by the TurfMutt Foundation. The foundation is the education and outreach arm of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute and award-winning Equip Exposition, the international landscape, outdoor living and equipment exposition headquartered in Louisville and one of the largest trade shows in the country.
“We are thrilled to partner with the City of Louisville to bring Mulligan’s Bark Park to downtown Louisville,” says Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation, which encourages people to care for and use the green space around them, while also supporting animal rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming. “Louisville is home for me and my rescue dog, Mulligan, and our trade show offices are on Main Street. We have a long history in Louisville. We wanted to be good corporate citizens and invest in our home city.”
Mulligan, the TurfMutt, appears on the Lucky Dog TV show which airs on Saturday mornings on CBS. The show is produced by Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG). The newest season will feature Downtown’s Bark Park.
The urban pocket park will be maintained by Louisville Downtown Partnership and donors.
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About LDP
LDP’s mission is to improve the economy of Downtown Louisville by promoting the redevelopment, vitality and economic growth of the Central Business District and surrounding areas and to improve Downtown’s quality of life by creating a safe, clean and enjoyable environment.