Department of Parks
Join in Hike and Holiday Trimmings Session at Tom Sawyer Park

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park will host a hike on the grounds of the former site of Central State Hospital Saturday Nov. 21 and Sunday Nov. 22.

Then, on Saturday Dec. 5, the park will follow the lead of early pioneers by using nature to provide beautiful holiday decorations.  Let Sawyer State Park staff help you start a new holiday tradition of making your own holiday trimmings for your tree and home. 

Central State Hospital History Hike
At 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21 and 2 p.m. on Sunday Nov. 22, join park staff in exploring the structural remains of Central State Hospital. In the 1860s, the land now part of E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park was purchased by the Commonwealth of Kentucky from the Hite family. The Fourth State Hospital for the Mentally Ill was constructed in the 1870s and remained a facility for the mentally ill until 1986, when the patients were moved to a new facility on nearby property. There will be a discussion of care of mental health patients of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The hike costs $2 per person and begins at Shelter 3 off of Lakeland Drive. Please wear appropriate clothes for the weather.

Traditional Trimmings
As the early pioneers knew, nature often provides some of the most beautiful holiday decorations.  Let Sawyer State Park Staff help you start a new holiday tradition of making your own holiday trimmings for your tree and home.  We will be using pinecones, berries, walnuts, plants, and other natural items found around the park along with ribbon and string to make holiday trimmings similar to those made in the 19th and early 20th Centuries.  Please join us in the lobby of the Recreation Building from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. The entire family is welcome. The cost is $5 per person.   

For more information contact Jessica Evans at 502-429-7270.

E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park is a 570-acre day use park located in northeastern Jefferson County just off the Gene Snyder Freeway. The park was once a farm worked by the former, much larger Central State Hospital. Many remnants, such as barns and cemeteries, still remain on park property. Dedicated in 1971, by May 1975, the park opened a recreation building and pool by May 1975.  The park has hiking and fitness trails, an outdoor pool, indoor gym, lacrosse and soccer fields, softball fields, archery range, and BMX track. 

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.