LouisvilleKY’s Beargrass Creek presentation to take place Monday at Mayor’s Gallery

Louisville, Ky., – The Mayor’s Music and Art Series will feature a special Earth Day presentation of “Beargrass: The Creek in Our Backyard” in the Mayor’s Gallery at Metro Hall on Monday, April 24 at Noon. The documentary will be followed by a panel discussion, and informational vendor booths will be on site.

“Beargrass: The Creek in Our Backyard,” examines Louisville’s primary urban stream in all its majesty and misery. It serves as a vital conversation starter designed to engage all residents and visitors in the future of the creek and the neighborhoods that comprise its 61-square-mile watershed. The documentary was written and produced by Morgan C. Atkinson.

“We care about clean water, healthy streams and the ‘Creek in Our Backyard.’  We care enough to come together and figure out how to make Beargrass Creek pure again.  Join the discussion about the future of Beargrass Creek, the creek in our backyard,” said Dr. David Wicks, the film’s executive producer.

Beargrass creek

As a local educator, paddler and activist, Wicks has always been a strong proponent of the restoration and preservation of Beargrass Creek. Originally funded by a Kickstarter campaign and the Louisville Audubon Society, the film was created over the past two years.

Since its creation, the documentary has influenced social change as the Beargrass Creek Conceptual Plan has gained more than 40 supporting organizations. The plan, sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Louisville Metro Parks, aims to improve water quality and wildlife habitat along the creek, as well as complete first Louisville Loop Spur Trail, a bike and hike trail from Waterfront Park to Cherokee Park

The documentary has been shown at several venues around the city and will be featured on KET for Earth Day 2017.

The showing at the Mayor’s Gallery is free and open to the public. The doors open at 11:30 a.m., and the film will begin at noon. Following the documentary, there will be a panel discussion about the creek’s future, with Atkinson and several civic leaders. Several environmental and governmental agencies will have booths with more information.

To find out more about the documentary, visit www.beargrassdocumentary.org. The documentary was sponsored by The Beargrass Creek Alliance. 

The Mayor’s Gallery at historic Louisville Metro Hall reopened in March following renovations. This space is used for the Mayor’s Music and Art Series. The music portion of the series features a local band or musician on the first Thursday of every month. The art series takes place every two months, and features a local artist in the community.

The gallery is available for the public to use to host meetings, events and performances. Currently, the space is being used for WFPK’s Live Lunch on Fridays through April, while the Louisville Public Media performance studio is under construction.