Louisville, KY

about

The ACTIVE Louisville partnership was formed in 2003 with the goal of redesigning low-income urban neighborhoods to promote active living. The project is unique because it focuses on the complete redevelopment of a large public housing facility and three adjacent neighborhoods near downtown Louisville. Through the Louisville Metro Housing Authority (LMHA), ACTIVE Louisville is influencing the redevelopment of Liberty Green, a HUD HOPE VI project. This six-block area is being reconstructed as a mixed-income community with pocket parks, a walkable streetscape, and an active living center for the community. Beyond the Liberty Green project, the partnership's vision consists of active and safe streets, parks, and public spaces in the Smoketown, Phoenix Hill, and Shelby Park neighborhoods.

In response to needs identified through community focus groups, ACTIVE Louisville developed and pilot tested "Get Up, Get Out, Get Moving About," a multi-generational dance and fitness program. Partners also have developed a bicycle recycling, training, and education program for children in low-income neighborhoods. These programs are held at the Presbyterian Community Center (PCC). ACTIVE Louisville reaches out to the broader community using the media and various community events, including the Family fitness Festival. In addition, ACTIVE Louisville received a grant from Nickelodeon to refurbish outdoor basketball courts in the project area.

ACTIVE Louisville has held Safe Routes to School training and conducted a community visioning process addressing crime in the project area. As a result, the initiative will expand to include streetscape improvements, police patrols, and walking clubs to enhance personal safety for neighborhood residents. The partnership organized a community clean-up event in the corridor and arranged to have the track at the local park included in the "Mayor's Miles" program, with dots marking every one-tenth mile.

ACTIVE Louisville is a diverse partnership led by the Louisville Metro Housing Authority. It includes the Transit Authority of River City, Mayor Jerry Abramson's Office and his Healthy Hometown Movement, Metro Health Department, Presbyterian Community Center, Meyzeek Middle School, Bicycling for Louisville, Metro Louisville Planning Department, and others.

our story

When 12-year-old Adwin Lowry started taking the Youth Bicycle Repair and Education course sponsored by ACTIVE Louisville, he had a little surprise for instructor Barry Zalph. Barry teaches kids how to repair, maintain, and safely ride bicycles during a six-week course. Successful students earn a bicycle.

Adwin told Barry after his first week in the course that he had never learned how to ride a bicycle. Less than three weeks later, with the help of a training pole and patient instruction, Adwin was launched. "My main goal in this class was to learn how to ride a bike," said Adwin, whose big wide smile is infectious. "It's fun. And I'm learning all about bikes." Barry said Adwin is a fast learner, and both Adwin and his mother were thrilled the day Adwin finally took off on his own.

Adwin said he had never learned how to ride because his neighborhood in the West End of Louisville had so many bumps in the streets and missing sidewalks that he never felt comfortable removing his training wheels. During a recent practice drill on turn signals, Adwin, a little shaky at the start, joined the other students in riding through a narrow channel. He was not quite ready to let go of the handlebars to signal a turn, but he made it through the lane with his big wide smile intact.

opportunities

The ACTIVE Louisville project area includes the 11,000 residents of Smoketown, Phoenix Hill, and Shelby Park, which are located near downtown Louisville. While these neighborhoods have a mix of ages and ethnicities, the area is predominantly comprised of middle- and low-income African Americans. The project area is one of many urban neighborhoods struggling with crime, dilapidated buildings, vacant properties, and other barriers with the physical environment. While the basic street layout and infrastructure support physical activity, it can be difficult for pedestrians or bicyclists to navigate high traffic one-way streets, limited pedestrian crossings, and sidewalks in disrepair.

Louisville is fortunate to have a mayor who actively promotes healthy lifestyles. In 2005, the mayor's office developed and implemented a complementary program called the Healthy Hometown Movement, which addresses physical activity and healthy eating. This communitywide promotional effort benefits from a broad partnership of local citizens and professionals.

accomplishments

Successfully advocated authorization from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development for Louisville Metro Housing Authority (LMHA) to redevelop the Liberty Green HOPE VI project at a higher density to enhance neighborhood walkability.

Played a critical role in designing the Smoketown 'neighborhood campus,' a planning effort that will incorporate active living principles into a nine-block area.

Provided ongoing input and significantly influenced the design of the Liberty Green HOPE VI redevelopment in the project area. Future elements for the six block housing project will include walkable streets, pocket parks, and an 'Active Living Center.'

Developed and implemented a bicycle recycling and education program for low-income youth within the project area.

Received $180,000 as a part of the Community Development Block grant for streetscape improvements, outdoor gardening and pocket parks. Refurbished and upgraded two outdoor basketball courts in the Smoketown neighborhood.

Received a $10,000 grant from Nickelodeon and a $20,000 grant from the Metro Health Department for physical activity programming.

Developed, implemented, and expanded a series of multi-generational fitness and dance classes with 200+ participants, formed in response to low-income resident focus groups.

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