What Would Olmsted Do?

What Would Olmsted Do?

About what?  Read on.

First, a history lesson: Frederick Law Olmsted, according to no lesser a source than Metro Council President and “Louisville’s Unofficial Historian” Tom Owen, our Parks Commission decided to name numerous city parks after Indian tribes – Cherokee, Seneca, Shawnee, Chickasaw, Algonquin, Seminole and Wyandotte.  As Owen suggested in the November 2003 issue of THE OWL (the newsletter of U of L library employees), this was done “perhaps at Olmsted’s urging.”

So, what would Olmsted think about tearing down Cherokee Park’s Hogan’s Fountain Pavilion – a teepee-shaped recreational center? As outlined in last month’s HIGHLANDER, whose cover article by Michael Jones first addressed the issue, the new Master Plan of the Louisville Metro Parks Department called for razing the teepee pavilion and replacing it with a smaller shelter.  To their credit, after activists like Lark Phillips raised objections, Metro Parks issued a public statement on June 14, 2010, that concluded: “However, if the community is willing to raise private funds for the renovation, we will not take action to replace the structure.”

Sanity sets in.

According to the Save The Hogan’s Fountain Pavilion fund-raising literature, “The teepee pavilion was originally constructed 50 years ago with a fitting theme and design for the Olmsted designed park, named Cherokee Park.  (It) provides for a great gathering place with seating, grills, shade and amenities nearby.  (It)... is a popular spot for family reunions, weddings and other group functions ... The teepee pavilion survived the tornado of 1974 and has been deemed still structurally sound ...”

Tom Eckert of Integral Structures, Inc. (www.integralstructures.com) states that he can replace the wooden shake shingles, paint the pavilion and do the necessary repairs for $82,000 (in contrast to the $148,000 bid obtained by Metro Parks). Mr. Eckert will not profit from the work.

For more info, visit www:savehogansfountain.com. 

Checks should be made out to: “Save Hogan’s Fountain Pavilion” and mailed to:

SAVE HOGAN’S PAVILION

c/o Adam Matthews Foundation

2104 Plantside DriveLouisville, KY  40299

Online Paypal donations can be made at: www.savehogansfountain.com.

What would Olmsted do?

Start looking for his checkbook.

After all, if you named the park Cherokee, why tear down its teepee?