LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The ground is broken and changes are on the way to a well-known landmark in one of Louisville’s biggest parks.
Melanie Ahr and Kim Casey are both retired. They come to Cherokee Park often for exercise and they really enjoy it.
Their walks take them right by Hogan’s Fountain.
“I’m glad that they maintained history. I grew up on Alta, so we have a childhood history of this park, too.” Casey said as she stopped near the fountain.
The Louisville landmark has a rich history in the Cherokee-Seneca neighborhood of Louisville. There’s actually an engraving on the fountain. It reads: “Presented to the City of Louisville by Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Hogan. 1904.”
There are quite a few things people say they love about Hogan’s fountain.
Jill Fleenor, who walks in Cherokee Park every day explained, “The bronze work are what I find so beautiful.”
Construction has already started to restore the fountain. A detailed sign on-site says Olmsted Parks Conservancy is working to restore the Enid Yandell sculpture of Pan and the area around Hogan’s Fountain.
“It’s long overdue. It’s needed some love.” Fleenor said.
That love is happening now. The President of Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Layla George, told Spectrum News 1 that with this project, they hope to restore it to the historic design which had granite cobblestones around the fountain. She also said they want to calm traffic as it drives through here.
Renovation plans call for the installation of a planted median. That will increase pedestrian safety and protect the fountain even more.
Charley Williams, who also regularly visits the park, said, “I think it’s great to keep the traffic away from it, because it was going to get hit by a car.”
Casey added, “The bikes are kinda scary sometimes.”
An on-site sign also said asphalt is being removed, granite cobblestones restored, new benches installed and plumbing repaired. Plus, new landscaping.
Jimmy Cebe explained while he was inside Cherokee Park, “I think it’s fine. Keep up with it, do the maintenance, so we’ll have it for a long time to come.”
The project investment, according to a detailed sign next to Hogan’s Fountain, is $230,000. Laya George with The Olmsted Parks Conservancy told Spectrum News 1 that all of that money came from private donations, which means not one cent of taxpayer dollars is being spent.
In terms of a timeline, George said they hope to get the fountain restoration work done in a couple months.
Donations are being accepted for this project. There’s a sign on site that says people who contribute $1,000 or more will be recognized publicly.