Louisville's Brown Park Hiking Trail an easy trail to start off the hiking season

  Mallards in Brown Park Creek  Photo by Brenda Reeves

Spring is on the horizon which means it's time to dust off those hiking shoes and take advantage of Louisville's many beautiful hiking trails. A visit to Brown Park in St. Matthews this last weekend revealed many residents, on the first sunny day in weeks, out for a walk with their dogs even though snow was still on the ground.

  Foot Bridge at Brown Park  Photo by Brenda Reeves

Brown Park, a hop off the Watterson Freeway, is a nature wonderland hidden among Baptist East Hospital, quality shopping, and residential living. The trail is approximately one mile, paved and easy for all ages. It meanders through wooded areas and over historic Beargrass Creek.
 

One path leads to an original family cemetery of the James Graham Brown family, who donated the 28 acres to the City of St. Matthews in 1977. At the same time, Landscape Architecture Magazine honored it as an award winning park.

 Mallards enjoying a sunny day  Photo by Brenda Reeves

Several species of wild duck, including Canadian Geese graciously share the park with Louisville's hikers. On this day, the mallards were frolicking in the creek.

 Posted at the beginning of the trail, a sign explains why visitors should not feed the ducks, but unfortunately, it's largely ignored.

Please Louisville lets respect the park and the wildlife that share it with us so future generations may also enjoy it's beauty. 

For driving directions, and more information go to St. Matthews.