| Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve | |
| Map: | USA Kentucky |
| Map Alt: | A map of Kentucky showing the location of Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve |
| Location: | Louisville, Kentucky, United States |
| Coordinates: | 38.2095°N -85.7111°W |
| Established: | February 17, 1982 |
| Governing Body: | Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission |
Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve is a 41acres nature preserve located in Louisville, Kentucky's Poplar Level neighborhood, in roughly the central portion of the city. It is named for Beargrass Creek, the south fork of which passes along the northern side of the preserve. The preserve is adjacent to Louisville's Joe Creason Park and the Louisville Nature Center. It is owned by the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves and the LNC assists with management.[1]
The preserve includes 2miles of walking trails, which cross wetlands and a ridge top.[2] There are also 180 species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers. It is managed by the Louisville Nature Center, which is located on the west side of the preserve in a building which opened in 1997. The center claims it is "one of the largest inner-city nature preserves" in the United States.[3] The preserve and nature center run on about a $90,000 annual budget, and in May 2007 reported about $100,000 in operational debt.[4]
In 1982, the State Nature Preserves Commission purchased a 41acres wooded tract that became the preserve. It was a part of the Collings estate (which became Joe Creason Park) that had been acquired by the Archdiocese of Louisville in 1960.[5]
As well as the walkable trails, there is a boardwalk that leads to a platform where individuals can listen in to an educational podcast on the preserve. Beargrass Creek trails offer a diverse amount of plants and wildlife for people to explore. These trails give hikers the chance to explore and discover said local flora and fauna, with many wildlife viewing opportunities available as well. Native plants of Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve include Yellowwood[6] (Cladrastis kentukea), Kentucky Coffeetree[7] (Gymnocladus dioicus) for trees; Spicebush[8] (Lindera benzoin), and Wild Hydrangea[9] (Hydrangea arborescens) for shrubs; Purple Coneflower[10] (Echinacea purpurea), and Shrub Yellowroot[11] (Xanthorhiza simplicissima) for wildflowers. With plants there are bound to have native wildlife to accompany them with over 150 species of documented birds, which are detailed in an article for Wildlife Trails in Kentucky,[12] and 30 recorded butterfly species.
Starting from Freys Hill Road or Westport Road, take I-265 to I-64 and head to exit 19. Your next step involves taking I-264 to Newburg Road, taking exit 15.[13]