I am a Kentucky native, born and raised. I’ve lived here my whole life. There’s plenty of world to explore, and I love to travel, but 30+ years in the Bluegrass State have only convinced me that I’ll be happiest spending the rest of my life exploring my home – and that if I do, I’ll never get bored.
I grew up in the country, in Bourbon County. My childhood was spent on tobacco farms and in rolling bluegrass fields full of horses. At the age of 12, I moved to Eastern Kentucky and discovered an entirely different kind of country – the Appalachian Mountains. There, hiking and foraging filled my days. Following high school, I moved to Lexington to attend college at the University of Kentucky. This was my first taste of living in “the city.” And I was hooked!
While living in Lexington I traveled to Louisville often to visit friends. Each time I visited I found myself wanting more of the art, the dining, and the entertainment the city offered. In 2011 I got my chance to experience Louisville every day when I moved here with my husband. It’s been home ever since, and we’re here to stay. Since moving to Louisville we’ve lived in Fern Creek, Cherokee Triangle in The Highlands, and two years ago, when it was time for us to buy our first home, we decided on Shelby Park.
When I moved to Shelby Park, some of my friends, even those from Louisville, didn’t know exactly where it’s located. If you’re one of these folks, it’s a neighborhood approximately two miles southeast of downtown, sandwiched between Old Louisville and Germantown. A lot of people don’t realize the area was named for a 16 acre Olmsted-designed park, that was at one time one of the busiest and most popular parks in Louisville. Today it boasts basketball and tennis courts, a walking path, a spray park, and the new PNC Music Garden.
The neighborhood is comprised of shotgun houses, historic landmarks, and local businesses. Though over time it has become less of the industrial hub it once was, in recent years there’s been a grassroots neighborhood revitalization lead by citizens and non-profit organizations, as well as the Shelby Park Neighborhood Association. Previously vacant housing is being renovated, businesses are moving in, and the neighborhood is seeing more visitors and new residents than ever.
I am so excited to connect with you monthly, to shine a light on what I love about this city, and to help you discover the neighbors, businesses, and historical aspects of Shelby Park! If you’re interested in seeing more of this ever-expanding Louisville gem in the interim, check out Shelby Park on Instagram.
