This November, Louisville voters may have the ability to create a dedicated funding source for city parks. An effort is underway to place a referendum on the 2026 ballot — and if approved, these protected funds would support parks serving neighborhoods citywide.

Louisville operates more than 120 public parks and 13 community centers across Jefferson County—places residents use for recreation, gathering, and connection. A recent condition assessment found more than half of Louisville's parks are in poor or fair condition, with an estimated $177 million in deferred maintenance. 16 parks have seen no investment in more than 20 years.
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Peer-city comparisons show average annual parks spending of about $150 per resident, compared with Louisville’s roughly  $ 53 per resident. The 2026 Trust for Public Land ParkScore™ ranks Louisville 95th among the 100 most populous U.S. cities based on a combination of park size, access, investment, amenities, and equity. In comparison, Cincinnati ranks 5th and Lexington 67th.