Project Details Page

synopsis

Louisville's Olmsted Parks & Parkways, is one of the last major works by Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr., and one of only five park and parkway systems he designed. In 1891 Olmsted designed the city’s three parks and five parkways, Cherokee Park (01263), Iroquois Park (01266), Shawnee Park (01269) and Algonquin, Southwestern, Northwestern, Eastern (01272), and Southern Parkways, respectively.

Louisville's Olmsted Parks & Parkways, is one of the last major works by Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr., and one of only five park and parkway systems he designed. In 1891 Olmsted designed the city’s three parks and five parkways, Cherokee Park (01263), Iroquois Park (01266), Shawnee Park (01269) and Algonquin, Southwestern, Northwestern, Eastern (01272), and Southern Parkways, respectively. He was determined to make each landscape distinct and advised the park commissioners to “do all in your power to induce your people to wholly discard the idea of rival parks” and “to develop within each one of your three properties a treasure of rural and sylvan scenery.” [FLO to President of the Park Commission_ 1891-08-26_LOC-OAR-B_01260-im.11&12] While Olmsted Sr. began the project, most of the subsequent work was completed by John Charles Olmsted. He designed several of the small playgrounds, neighborhoods, and park linkages. A lengthy project, the Olmsted firm continued to work on both public and private projects in Louisville through the 1950’s.

The LOC file recommends also seeing subdivision jobs 03811 and 03076 for Frank Fehr.

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