Department of Parks
April Events Planned For E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – An astronomy program, 5K race, gardening and Earth Day events are all on tap during April at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park in Louisville.

Here are details about the April activities at the park:

Astronomy Event: This year is the International Year of Astronomy. It is the 400th anniversary of the Galileo telescope. The Louisville Astronomical Society (LAS) will celebrate this milestone at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park on Friday, April, 3 to get as many people possible to look through a telescope.

The LAS meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Urban Astronomy Center located in the Root Cellar Building on E. P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park. Dr. Chris Grainey of Jefferson Community College will speak about the Galileo telescope and the beginnings of modern astronomy. A modern telescope will be adjusted so the view is similar to what Galileo saw. Telescopes will be set up to view Saturn, the Orion nebula, double stars and other wonders of the night sky. This event is free and families and children are encouraged to join us.

Goose Creek 5K Run: Runners are invited to compete in a unique series of 5K runs featured at four Kentucky State Parks. E.P. "Tom" Sawyer is the first race in the Kentucky State Park Race Series. Race begins at 9 a.m. on April 4. Each pre-registered participant receives a t-shirt, late registrants, while supplies last. Awards will be given to the overall male and female and top two finishers in each age group. Cost: $15 early registration/ $20 for day-of.  The fee for the entire series is $50. Registration for the race series ends at 8:30 a.m. on April 4.

Garden Program:  Composting Trash into Treasure on Friday, April 17 at 4 p.m. near the E.P. “Tom” Sawyer Community Gardens.  This program will cover the composting basics for your garden and your home.  Compost piles are easy to create and easy to keep.  Learn the best method of composting that fits your lifestyle.  Park Staff and Jefferson County Extension Office Master Gardeners will be presenting the program.  This program is free to the public.  

Earth Day Event: On Wednesday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. there will be area businesses and environmental organizations available in the park gymnasium with information about how we can help save our planet.  There will also be a hike, dumpster dive, geocaching demonstration, trash clean-up, crafts, tree seedlings, and critter touch table available throughout the day.  This program is free to the public.

This 580 acre park found within the urban landscape of the city of Louisville serves as the only state park within Jefferson County. Recreational facilities include an Olympic size outdoor pool, fully functional gymnasium with basketball, badminton, and pickleball courts, athletic fields for soccer, lacrosse, and flag football, a three field softball complex, tennis courts, archery range, radio controlled airfield, and BMX bicycle track. The park offers a nature trail and large meadow and forested green space, along with a fenced in area for dogs to enjoy. Meeting space and picnic shelters are available for family, corporate, and civic celebrations. Call 502-429-7270 for information or visit http://parks.ky.gov/findparks/recparks/ep/

To visit E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park, take the Gene Snyder (Interstate 265) to Exit 32.  Go west on Westport Road to Freys Hill Road. Take Freys Hill Road into the park. 

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The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 52 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges -- more than any other state. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov