Chickasaw Park reopens tennis courts as $5M gift launches full restoration

Chickasaw Park celebrated the reopening of the West Louisville Tennis Club courts on Saturday, a milestone for a green space that has been in the community for 100 years. Residents reflected on the park’s place in community life.“It has been loved. It’s been the site of weddings and birthday parties, civil rights gatherings, funeral processions, and a whole lot of tennis and fishing,” said Mary Grissom, president of the Olmstead Park Conservancy.Grissom said the reopening is the first step in a larger plan made possible by an anonymous gift.“We are announcing an historic gift, $5 million, which will result in the full restoration of Chickasaw Park,” Grissom said.Early work will update the pavilion and playground and restore the historic view between the park and the river.“They really love and value this green space, but they want that Riverview that was intended by the Olmsted firm,” Grissom said.The Conservancy will gather community feedback throughout the process before proceeding with renovations.“We know what’s on everyone’s list today. But, you know, we have the opportunity with this gift not just to dream, but to bring those dreams into execution,” Grissom said.The donation will also fund a project ambassador for the western parks in the Olmstead system, serving as a liaison for the seven parks in the area.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

Chickasaw Park celebrated the reopening of the West Louisville Tennis Club courts on Saturday, a milestone for a green space that has been in the community for 100 years.

Residents reflected on the park’s place in community life.

“It has been loved. It’s been the site of weddings and birthday parties, civil rights gatherings, funeral processions, and a whole lot of tennis and fishing,” said Mary Grissom, president of the Olmstead Park Conservancy.

Grissom said the reopening is the first step in a larger plan made possible by an anonymous gift.

“We are announcing an historic gift, $5 million, which will result in the full restoration of Chickasaw Park,” Grissom said.

Early work will update the pavilion and playground and restore the historic view between the park and the river.

“They [the community] really love and value this green space, but they want that Riverview that was intended by the Olmsted firm,” Grissom said.

The Conservancy will gather community feedback throughout the process before proceeding with renovations.

“We know what’s on everyone’s list today. But, you know, we have the opportunity with this gift not just to dream, but to bring those dreams into execution,” Grissom said.

The donation will also fund a project ambassador for the western parks in the Olmstead system, serving as a liaison for the seven parks in the area.