Sports and Recreation

Louisville has something to offer almost every sports enthusiast, whether athlete or spectator. The parks of Louisville and Jefferson County, ranging in size from one-tenth of an acre to the 6,000-acre Jefferson Memorial Forest, offer opportunities for many activities. With a 900-foot series of pools, waterfalls, water cannons and a wharf, Waterfront Park, downtown on the riverfront, connects Louisville to the Ohio River. The park also has a playground and is a popular spot for concerts, picnicking, walking and jogging. For information about park facilities and events contact the Metro Parks Public Information Office, 1297 Trevilian Way, Louisville, KY 40213; phone (502) 456-8100.

Bicycle trails wind through many of the parks, and several bicycle routes are designated along city streets. A booklet highlighting bicycle routes throughout Louisville and Jefferson County is available at most public library branches and at the visitor center at the Kentucky International Convention Center, Third and Market streets; for additional information phone (502) 574-5157. Bicycles can be rented from Highland Cycle Inc., 1737 Bardstown Rd.; phone (502) 458-7832.

Hiking is available in most of the parks, but marked hiking trails are found in Forest View (3, 5, 7.5 and 8.5 mi.) and Tom Wallace (7 and 13 mi.) parks. Jefferson Memorial Forest offers hikers more than 35 miles of trails ranging from an easy .25-mile (one-way) paved walk to a strenuous 6.2-mile (one-way) trek. The forest, part of Louisville's Metro Parks system, is 16 miles south of the city in Fairdale; phone (502) 368-5404 for additional information.

Fishing is available; people between 16 and 65 must have a state fishing license. Charlie Vettiner, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Fishermans, Iroquois, Long Run, McNeely, Tom Wallace, Watterson and Waverly parks have stocked lakes, and Chickasaw, Cox, Eva Badman, Hays Kennedy, Riverfields, Riverview, Shawnee and Thurston parks provide access to the Ohio River, where carp and game fish may be caught.

Golf enthusiasts can choose from any of the nine Metro Parks golf courses: Bobby Nichols, 4301 E. Pages Ln., (502) 937-9051; Charlie Vettiner, 10207 Mary Dell Ln., (502) 267-9958; Cherokee, 2501 Alexander Rd., (502) 458-9450; Crescent Hill, 3110 Brownsboro Rd., (502) 896-9193; Iroquois, 1501 Rundill Rd., (502) 363-9520; Long Run, 1605 Flat Rock Rd., (502) 245-9015; Seneca, 2300 Peewee Reese Rd., (502) 458-9298; Shawnee, 460 Northwestern Pkwy., (502) 776-9389; and Sun Valley, 6505 Bethany Ln., (502) 937-9228.

Five of these courses--Iroquois, Long Run, Seneca, Shawnee and Sun Valley--offer 18 holes. Shawnee is particularly scenic, with five holes played parallel to the Ohio River. Each course has a clubhouse and pro shop; both pull and riding carts can be rented. All courses are open daily, 30 minutes after dawn to dusk. Daily greens fees range from $7 to $14; discounts are available for senior citizens.

Influenced by their surroundings, visitors often want to go horseback riding while in Louisville. Marked horse trails ranging from 3 to 10 miles long are available at Cherokee, Forest View, Iroquois, Seneca and Tom Wallace parks. Trails also are available at five state parks: Barren River Lake Resort, Cumberland Falls Resort, Dale Hollow Lake Resort, Lake Barkley Resort and Lake Cumberland Resort as well as Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Horses can be rented at Iroquois Park Riding Stable, 7000 Sanders Wood Rd., (502) 363-3910. Pony rides also are available.

For tennis buffs the more than 200 public outdoor courts in the area are free and are available on a first-come-first-served basis, with a 1-hour time limit.

Water sports are enjoyed in the 12 outdoor pools, open mid-June to mid-August, and three indoor public pools, open year-round, as well as in area lakes and the Ohio River.

Spectator sports are a favorite pastime in Louisville. The University of Louisville Cardinals football team plays at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, while the college's basketball team schedules their games at Freedom Hall. Both venues are at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center complex off Watterson Expressway; for game and ticket information phone (502) 852-5151 or (800) 633-7105.

The city has a AAA minor league baseball team, the Louisville Bats--the Cincinnati Reds' principal farm team--which plays April through September at Louisville Slugger Field on E. Main Street; phone (502) 212-2287.

Besides the renowned "Run for the Roses," Churchill Downs offers Thoroughbred horse racing from late April through early July and late October through November; phone (502) 636-4400.