Mayor Greg Fischer announced that there is a new online web mapping application that makes it easier for citizens to gather information.  

 The Louisville Environmental and Property Search (LEAPS) consolidates publicly-available environmental data from federal, state and local sources with information about city government-owned properties for sale in one searchable map, available at http://leaps.louisvilleky.gov/.

 Previously, developers, adjacent property owners and citizens had no single unified source for this information. Now, a person can find zoning and property information along with information about underground storage tanks, air emissions permits, historic landfills and much more.

 “LEAPS allows a citizen to enter an address and discover a wealth of information about the property that was previously dispersed across multiple websites,” said Executive Administrator for Brownfields and Local Food Initiatives Theresa Zawacki. “This makes the process of gathering critical initial information about properties much simpler, and it’s a great resource for people who are interested in acquiring property owned by Louisville Metro Government.”

 As an entrepreneur and business-oriented mayor, Fischer has made it a priority to create a more innovative and technologically savvy culture in Louisville making it easier to do business and get things done.

 “The LEAPS system will help us continue to promote and facilitate the redevelopment of vacant or underutilized properties, Fischer said. “One of our strategic initiatives is to sell or donate properties owned by the city for uses that will benefit the local community. This is a great example of how our team is working together to create a more efficient government.”

Join the Bridget Brigade as they walk united in September to support and honor their mom and best friend, Bridget Keller Smith. Bridget was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in February of last year and she has shown nothing but courage, strength and grace throughout this difficult journey. September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and is the perfect time for all of us to come together for a great cause.

Many of you have asked  what you can do to help. Well, this is your chance! There are many ways you can show your support:

1. If you are in Louisville, you can participate with us in the Dee Edwards Memorial Whisper Walk for Ovarian Cancer, put on by OAK (Ovarian Awareness of Kentucky) to raise money and awareness for ovarian cancer. Registration is $15 and can be paid in person the morning of the walk. The Whisper Walk takes place Saturday, September 13th, 8am, at Douglass Hills Park, 501 Gatehouse Lane.

2. If you're not in Louisville, check the list of official city walks below. Find out if there is an ovarian cancer walk in your hometown sometime during the month of September and post the details on the wall below so we can add it to the list. If your hometown doesn't have an official walk, you can go for a walk anywhere in your hometown on the same September 13th morning as the Louisville walk and be united with us in spirit. 

3. No matter where you live, for a $10 minimum donation, you can join The Bridget Brigade! You will receive a custom teal Bridget Brigade wristband that you can wear to show your support. All funds raised will go directly to Bridget and her choice of causes. Donations can be made via PayPal, check or cash. Simply fill out the form at http://bit.ly/TheBridgetBrigadeForm to reserve your wristband.

Thousands of cyclists, walkers, canoeists and kayakers will hit the streets and the Ohio River on Labor Day for the 20th Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Subway Fresh Fit Hike, Bike & Paddle Sept. 1 at Waterfront Park.  Free T-shirts will be available for the first 3,000 participants who complete a short survey and the Brain Injury Association will distribute 500 helmets to riders who don’t have one. 

Paddlers will have two options at the event. At 10 a.m., they can take a 3 or 6-mile course from Harbor Lawn in Waterfront Park to Cox Park and back. TARC will provide a free shuttle back to the Waterfront for the paddlers wishing to complete the upriver-only 3-mile course. A more adventurous course at 11 a.m. will take canoeists and kayakers through the McAlpine Locks and Dam to the Jaycees Boat Ramp in New Albany. TARC will offer a shuttle service for paddlers to retrieve their vehicles back at the launch site. Paddling participants will launch their canoes or kayaks at the river ramp located at the Harbor Lawn of Waterfront Park. Paddlers can drop their boats off at the “Green” parking lot near River Road and Witherspoon St. from 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Persons without a boat who would like to paddle can rent a canoe or kayak. However, boats must be reserved in advance by contacting Two Rivers Adventures at 502.525.4019 or www.tworiversadventures.com. 

For cyclists, a 15-mile route will leave Waterfront Park and go west through the Portland Stroll District to Shawnee Park, one of Louisville’s signature Olmsted-designed Metro Parks. Turnoffs will provide cycling routes as short as two miles.

The hiking route, which is wheelchair-accessible, will take walkers west along the waterfront, along portions of the Riverwalk and wharf to 10th St. and back. Walkers can bring their dogs on the hike, but must keep them on a leash and pick up waste as required by law.  

Participants are encouraged to be “green” and bring their own water bottles which they will be able to fill in Waterfront and Shawnee Parks as part of Louisville Water’s Pure Tap To Go program. For those without a water bottle, the Louisville Metro Parks Foundation will have them available for sale on-site. For more information, go to www.hikebikeandpaddlelouisville.com.

SeniorCare Experts holds the longest standing charitable golf outing in our community! Join them on September 29th, 2014 for the 29th Annual Golf Outing benefitting the important work of helping our oldest generation. The event will be held at the Wildwood Country Club on 5000 Bardstown Road. Lunch will be at 11:30am and the shotgun start is at 1:00pm. Immediately following the outing, an awards dinner and silent auction will occur. Visit www.srcareexperts.org for more information and to make your reservations. 

On September 6, why not run the route your water takes with the Louisville pure tap® 5K. The race starts at 8:30 a.m. at the historic Louisville Water Tower on River Road and runs along Zorn Avenue. The Louisville pure tap® 5k culminates in a family-friendly festival and free admission to the WaterWorks Museum for pure tap® 5k participants. Cost is $30. For more information, go to http://puretap5k.com/.