IN THIS ISSUE...
Disclaimer: This newsletter references the book, "The 5 Love Languages" by Dr. Gary Chapman and its concepts.
These days, references to one’s "love language" abound and it has got me to thinking. Do the differences in the way we give and receive love apply to community relations? Is it possible that in a district with countless languages spoken and no shortage of communication challenges, that giving focus to the way we experience love rather than linguistic differences, is key to a healthier community? It’s worth exploring.
In light of Valentine’s Day, I’m devoting this edition to featuring projects I love, some conceptual, others in development, with a love language to fit everyone’s style.
Words of Affirmation:
If you give love through words of affirmation, I have just the projects for you! Both are conceptual and would benefit from verbal expressions of interest and/or support in exploration to ensure positive momentum.
1) Kentucky Mountain Biking Association Skills Course: KYMBA in partnership with Louisville Metro Public Works and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is exploring the creation of a skills course off Old Park Blvd near Crittenden Drive under the 264 underpass across from Allmond Ave. This Skills Course would be open to the community and would bring positive activity to the east side of Beechmont in an area that has become a blighted vestige of Highland Park.
 2) Wilderness Park: Presently there exists 27 acres of wetlands off Preston Hwy near Guardian Angel Ditch. The private owner is willing to donate the land to allow for both preservation and public use e.g. creation of a walking path near the ditch that must be accessible, observation areas, outdoor classroom space, etc. Note - this concept is not a proposal to remove wetlands, rather, a concept that would allow wetlands to be better appreciated by a community with limited park accessibility. MSD, Louisville Parks Alliance, and Metro Parks are all partners in exploring how such a concept may come to fruition.
 Quality Time:
Looking for a way to spend quality time in your community and see your neighbors in a more artistic light? Thanks to Fund for the Arts and partners like Kentucky Shakespeare, The Little Loomhouse, and Southwest Dream Team, the Arts in Neighborhoods Showcase for South Louisville will be embedded in several different locations culminating in the production of Julius Caesar at Iroquois Park on April 10th. Save the date.
Receiving Gifts:
Want to let your community know you are thinking of them? Participation in one of these two planning projects will be the gift that keeps giving.
1) Muhammad Ali International Airport Plan: Thanks to the generosity of Louisville Regional Airport Authority (LRAA) and UPS and the work of Metro's Advanced Planning and Sustainability, several of our neighborhoods abutting the airport have an opportunity to engage in a neighborhoods plan that will foster stronger connections across neighborhoods with similar challenges, creating a community driven vision to guide actionable goals and future development. The Request for Proposal (RFP) is being issued to secure a planning team.
 2) Southside Reuse Visioning: Exciting opportunities exist for the odd shaped brownfield lot across from Americana Community Center at 4804-4806 Southside Dr. It was a former gas station and has been a blighted vacant space for as long as I can remember. Thanks to the work of Metro’s Advanced Planning and Sustainability a planning group will be working with the community to create a reuse vision for actionable redevelopment of the site. Stay tuned for details!
 Acts of Service:
If you express love by being helpful, Brightside is ready to receive your love! Brightside is piloting a business partnership program in D21. This concept is not new but the process leading up to this pilot is community driven and specific to our needs. Brightside will be engaging businesses near our hotspots associated with high volumes of litter generation. In exchange for a commitment of support, the businesses will be promoted. Brightside needs your help in assessing impact by scoring a business once a month for 6 months.
 Physical Touch:
Neighbors on Wampum Ave are ready to get physical! They have organized with neighbors on Gillette Ave to create a community garden space on a vacant lot plagued by illicit activities. The goal is to both beautify the area and bring neighbors together. Neighbors can help set up the raised beds on February 19 at 10am. Meet on Wampum.
Chapman, Gary D. The Five Love Languages. Walker Large Print, 2010.
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