A walk in the park



[ULPA 1994.18.0828], Herald Post Collection, 1994.18, Special Collections, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.

As I walk to my place I am with my older brother Brian.  He loves being outside just like me and has been to big rock a few times himself.  The park is only a ten minute drive from where we live so coming out her is no big hassle.  I roll the windows down and turn the radio up as we make our way through the curvy roads.  We come to the picnic are where there are about ten parking spots.  The sun is making its slow dissapearance in the distant.  We both spray ourselves from head to toe with a shield of bugspray.  Being the big brother he is he naturally takes the lead on the path.  He moves quickly and I break a sweat trying to keep up with his energetic steps.  This moment takes me back to when we were kids running around without a care in the world.  We would always race each other and I was never quite as fast as he was, even though I tried my hardest.  For me this is the most beautiful place in all of Louisville.  Cherokee park was founded in 1892.  Over a hundred years of memories have been made in this magnificent place.  I've made a few of my own over the past couple of years.  Brian climbs effortlessly taking in the scenery around him.  The Cultural Landscape Foundation expresses, “The rich and varied scenery follows the contour of the land within four distinctive landscapes of the park: hills, slopes, a creek valley, and sinkholes.”  With those four descriptions alone I can paint a picture of the perfect park in my mind.  Cherokee park is above and beyond any picture I could create in my head.  Going here makes me feel like I am on an adventure.  Like I am exploring a new territory. I love the description of the park to be seen as “rich”.  This brings a whole new feel to the park.  It is not just a random location filled with trees, grass, and hills.  It is nature’s very own work of art.  Every time I come to Cherokee park my strides take on a whole new style.  My steps become slower and time is not an issue.  I think to myself why rush in a place like this.  I laugh when my brother fumbles over a root sticking up from the ground.   When walking downhill the roots act as handle bars to keep from slipping.  Brian sneezes and I remember how lucky I am that I didn’t get the “I’m allergic to everything” genes.  Halfway through the path I take my flip-flops off.  For me it’s easier to go barefoot.  I love the feel of soft soil under my feet.  Being barefoot requires me to be a bit more cautious on the trail.  Cherokee park is number 69 on Americas list of most visited parks.  Roughly 500,000 people visit this park annually.  Because of the amount of people that walk on the paths I need to be extra careful not to step on any broken glass.  Usually the path is clean enough to where I do not need to worry too much.  As we reach the rock I see a smile flash on my brothers’ face.  A sense of accomplishment.  The feeling that we discovered a hidden jewel or that we managed to make it here without falling on our face.  We climb up on top of the rock.  With all the giant trees around us it is hard to imagine this place as been anything but tranquil.  According to a city forester back in 1974, "I don't believe that anyone alive today will see Cherokee Park as it was before the storm."  On April 3, 1974 the park was hit by an f4 tornado.  Many of the parks oldest and tallest trees were uprooted.  Because of the damage done a massive re-replanting took place.  It makes me incredibly happy to know that the community was supportive of the parks restoration.  As I sit on the edge of the rock with my feet dangling over the water I cant help but be at peace.  Eight feet above the water does not seem high but making the jump would send a thrill through my veins.  A thrill I decide to save for another trip to my place.  The night starts to pull her blanket over the park as we make our way back through the path.  Climbing barefoot in the dark is no easy task but I am having a blast.  I just wish I came earlier in the day.  I love this place.