Metro Parks may not permanently close, repurpose, lease, sell and/or otherwise dispose of any Metro-owned park without prior Metro Council approval through the processes set forth in divisions (A) through (D). For the purpose of this section, the following definitions apply:
LEASE. The lease of any real park property for a period of greater than one-year with a group or entity other than Louisville Metro Government. The term lease applies to the entire Metro-owned park and not smaller parcels of a park. The term lease does not include leasing or renting a park or sections of a park for public or private events, maintenance, or improvement projects. A one-year lease that is renewed for additional years is subject to the procedure detailed in division (C).
LONG-TERM CLOSURES. Any seasonal park or facilities located on a Metro-owned park that does not reopen during the normal seasonal time period; this term also means permanently restricting public access to all or a significant section of a Metro-owned park for a period of one-year or more.
PERMANENTLY CLOSE. Permanently restricting public access to an entire area of a Metro-owned park for a period of one year or more. This term does not include temporarily closing sections of the park or the entire park for special events, to address weather related issues, or for park maintenance or minor renovations to structures or amenities.
REPURPOSE. Major renovations that significantly alter the character and intent of the originally designed park. This term includes any change from active recreation activities to passive recreation activities, the addition of a new structure or amenity to a park, the design of a new park, or the permanent closure of any swimming pool. The term does not include converting one kind of sports space to another, modifying existing structures, or planting/maintaining trees and other vegetation at the park.
(A) To permanently close any Metro-owned park, Metro Parks must hold a public meeting to discuss the proposed closure of the Metro-owned park with the community at a location in close proximity of the Metro-owned park. Notice of the public meetings must satisfy requirements in KRS 61.823. After the public meeting, Metro Parks must file with Metro Council its request to permanently close a park along with a budgetary report on the park and the reasons Metro Parks seeks permanent closure of the Metro-owned park. The request to permanently close the Metro-owned park must be approved by vote of Metro Council.
(B) Prior to any repurpose or long-term closure of a Metro-owned park, Metro Parks must file with Metro Council a masterplan detailing the major renovations and/or reason for any long-term closure the Metro-owned park and request input from the Council Member in whose District the park resides. The completed masterplan must be approved by vote of Metro Council. Renovations to a park in which a site plan (less impactful to the park than a masterplan or the implementation of a phase or portion of a masterplan) is utilized will be provided to the Council Member in whose District the Park resides for input, but the completed site plan does not require Metro Council approval.
(C) To lease any Metro-owned park, Metro Parks must file with Metro Council a proposed lease for any Metro-owned park and request input from the Council Member in whose District the park resides. The lease must identify the person or entity leasing the park, how the leasee plans to use the park space, and the term of the lease. The completed lease must be approved by vote of Metro Council.
(D) To sell or otherwise dispose of any Metro-owned park, Metro Parks must complete the process set forth in division (A) and then follow the requisite surplus process required by state statute.
(Lou. Metro Ord. No. 27-2019, approved 3-21-2019)